virulence
1
9.2
- noun
- /ˈvɪrələns/
:
virulencia
- We can only guess from the virulence of his statements against Protestants, Freemasons, and Jews that he must be a staunch Catholic; we can perhaps entertain the possibility that his contempt for the lady is the darker side of an unrequited love.
Their virulence, Their virulence is different, right?
- Their virulence, Their virulence is different, right?
Examples
-
A virulence of irrational nationalism, racism, and ethnocentrism, coupled with powerful and deadly technology, becomes increasingly the hallmark of our century.
Academic text (1992) -
The virulence of his criticism shocked everyone at the meeting.
-
The virulence of this reception had very much to do with Wales's self-image.
Academic text (1996) -
Despite receiving little attention from a Western press more interested in reporting the virulence of extremists, some of these quarters have succeeded in organizing to press their ideas on society and the government.
Academic text (1994) -
The United States needs the region dearly, as resistance to its world hegemony springs up everywhere and with greater virulence than at any time since the end of World War II.
Academic text (2008) -
Angry reactions to it, based on an increasing knowledge of Soviet realities, gave a special virulence to the misnamed "witch hunt" against Communists and fellow travelers.
Academic text (1996) -
What has surprised me is the level of virulence shown to those who disagree with the building for just as legitimate concerns, increasing dissension, propaganda to Islamic supremacists, support for an imam who may very well be a bridge builder but has also said some things that are not so moderate.
Blog text (13) -
If anonymity and impersonalization allow for easier virulence in criticism, then personalization and connection work in the opposite way—to preclude it.
Blog text (26) -
The virulence displayed in their argument revealed deep-seated animosities.
-
Even in casual conversations, the virulence of their remarks was evident.
Synonyms
147
4.7
Unfriendly or angry actions and feelings toward someone
101
3.5
Hostile or violent behavior toward others
10
6.3
Being very cruel and violent toward other people or animals
8
8.8
A feeling of wanting to harm other people
2
8.0
Very bad and morally wrong behavior
2
7.5
A wish to hurt or make other people suffer
2
8.0
Being very rude and annoying to other people
1
8.4
A strong wish to harm others or make their lives worse
1
7.7
A way of behaving that is angry and unfriendly
1
5.8
Actions or words that hurt other people's feelings and damage relationships
Very strong, bitter speech or writing that tries to hurt someone
A very harmful and cruel way of being that hurts other people
A feeling of wanting to harm other people
A consistently unfriendly and angry way of acting
A habit of being angry and unpleasant to others
Showing strong dislike and no respect for a person or thing
Antonyms
How Hostile
Surface Forms
Morphology
virulence = virulent (semi-transparent) = virul + ence
The noun is formed by a standard nominalization of 'virulent' with '-ence'.
Etymology
Virulence comes from the Latin root virus, meaning 'poison'. Think of 'poison in words'—that image helps, because virulence can describe speech or actions that are very harsh and harmful.