virulence
noun/ˈvɪrjələns/
Frequency rank: #18,761 most common English word
Meaning
the degree to which a pathogen or harmful agent is able to cause severe disease or damage.
Example sentence
Scientists studied the virulence of the new strain to understand how quickly it could spread through a population.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 18,701–18,800
- unnaturallyin a way that is strange or not normal; not as expected in nature or behavior.
- vegetarianismthe practice of not eating meat or fish, often for health or ethical reasons
- vicariousExperienced through the feelings or actions of another person rather than directly oneself.
- villainywicked or criminal behavior; evil conduct.
- virtuosityExceptional skill or technique in a particular art or activity.
- vizierA high-ranking political advisor or minister in certain Muslim countries, especially in the Ottoman Empire.
- whimsyPlayful or fanciful humor; a quaint and imaginative quality.
- workpieceAn object being worked on by a tool or machine during manufacturing.
- wormwoodA woody plant with an intensely bitter taste, traditionally used in medicine and to flavor drinks such as absinthe.
- wrangleto argue or dispute in a noisy or angry way; to obtain something through persistent effort.