virulence

[vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-] / ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /

NOUN

sharpness of temper

Synonyms

STRONG

acerbity acrimony animosity animus annoyance antagonism bitterness choler cynicism displeasure dudgeon embitterment exacerbation exasperation fog fury gall grudge hostility huff hurt indignation ire irritation malice malignity miff offense outrage passion perturbation pique rage rancor rise spite umbrage vehemence vexation virulency wrath

WEAK

bad feeling ill feeling ill will rancorousness resentfulness resentment

Antonyms

STRONG

calm calmness cheer comfort delight glee good will happiness joy kindness love pleasure sweetness sympathy understanding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The study also tells us how albumin works on nullifying critical virulence factors including toxins and other fungal proteins involved in causing tissue damage and in aggressively invading human organs," explained Dr. Ibrahim.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

“The Saudis understood that their dispute with the Emiratis had crossed into an anti-Israel posture of increasing virulence, that it was creating serious problems for them in Washington,” Dubowitz said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

They compared the genomes of EF-responsive and non-responsive strains and found that, in addition to iron acquisition genes, responsive strains had genes associated with virulence and capsule production specifically.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2024

"When tested for its effects on the fungus' ability to attack frogs, it seemed to actually increase the virulence of the fungus against the frog."

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024

When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulence and the number of its victims had drawn public attention on the school.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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