as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism
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Recent Examples of virulence
Scientists emphasized that this hasn’t been linked to virulence or rapid transmission.
—
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Those cases have decreased significantly in the U.S. The current strain, called clade 1b, is worrisome because of its virulence.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulence 
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Those cases have decreased significantly in the U.S. The current strain, called clade 1b, is worrisome because of its virulence.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 5 Aug. 2024
In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for virulence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virulence
Noun
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The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) noted a post-2020 increase in both the frequency and severity of such incidents, although specific links to alcohol consumption remain unclear.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
14 Jan. 2025
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Despite security threats increasing in volume and severity, a 2024 World Economic Forum report found that only 15% of organizations expect cyber skills and education to significantly ramp up by 2026.—
Todd Moore,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
For example, shrinking the size and scope of government is a goal which could help the country, but reducing or trimming government programs for almost any constituency would be fraught with hostility and political costs.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Just more than 100 were released in late November 2023 during a pause in hostilities, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.—
Keir Simmons,
NBC News,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His father was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty on the other eight counts.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
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Young’s legal team has tried to make the case that the text and others were evidence of malice, but Axelrod argued that the Marquardt and others involved in reporting the story showed restraint.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The liver serves several vital functions, such as filtering blood, converting food into energy, eliminating wastes, and producing various substances like bile, proteins, and cholesterol.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
18 Dec. 2024
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When this occurs, bile collects in the gallbladder, causing the gallbladder to swell and increase in size.—
Doru Paul,
Health,
20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near virulence
Cite this Entry
“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulence. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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