virulent
adjective
[ ˈvɪrʊl(ə)nt ]
• (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects.
• "a virulent strain of influenza"
Similar:
poisonous,
toxic,
venomous,
noxious,
deadly,
lethal,
fatal,
mortal,
terminal,
death-dealing,
life-threatening,
dangerous,
harmful,
injurious,
pernicious,
damaging,
destructive,
unsafe,
contaminating,
polluting,
deathly,
nocuous,
mephitic,
baneful,
highly infectious,
highly infective,
highly contagious,
infectious,
infective,
contagious,
rapidly spreading,
communicable,
transmittable,
transmissible,
spreading,
malignant,
uncontrollable,
pestilential,
severe,
extreme,
violent,
catching,
pestiferous,
• bitterly hostile.
• "his involvement with the temperance movement led to his virulent attack on the drink trade"
Similar:
vitriolic,
malicious,
malevolent,
malignant,
malign,
evil-intentioned,
resentful,
hostile,
spiteful,
venomous,
vicious,
vindictive,
bitter,
rancorous,
acrimonious,
mordant,
astringent,
incisive,
cutting,
biting,
scathing,
caustic,
stinging,
blistering,
searing,
withering,
abusive,
mean,
nasty,
aggressive,
savage,
harsh,
devastating,
bitchy,
catty,
malefic,
maleficent,
Origin:
late Middle English (originally describing a poisoned wound): from Latin virulentus, from virus ‘poison’ (see virus).
