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.
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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
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On several occasions tensions between the two countries — NATO allies divided by deep historical antagonisms — have stirred powerful nationalist passions and brought them to the brink of hostilities.Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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In it, Elphaba and Galinda profess their undying friendship; suffice it to say that Grande found the notion of treating her co-star with violent hostility an acting challenge.Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The jury in the trial, heard in a Bay County, Fla., court, will be asked to determine whether CNN journalists acted with actual malice, which is defined as the publication of false information with reckless disregard of the truth.Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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Some of the rebels were jihadists (more on that in a moment), but Assad directed his malice universally—and, if anything, more violently toward non-jihadists, whose only demand was freedom from Assad and his cronies.Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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Urso doesn't reverse liver damage but can improve bile flow.Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near virulence
Cite this Entry
“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virulence. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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