1. the severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison
Usage: medical
2. bitter hostility or malice in speech or behavior

Examples

• The virulence of the new strain worried health officials.
• Scientists studied the virulence of different bacterial infections.
• The politician’s speech was marked by unusual virulence toward his opponents.
• Her criticism lacked the virulence that characterized her earlier reviews.
• The virulence of the toxin made immediate treatment necessary.
• He was shocked by the virulence of the online comments.
• The disease’s virulence varied significantly between patients.