Definition of "virulent" []

• Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin. (adjective)
• Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen. (adjective)
• Bitterly hostile or antagonistic; hateful: virulent criticism. See Synonyms at poisonous. (adjective)
• Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The term virulent, you see, is used to mean something virus-like, especially in the manner and speed it spreads itself."
• "The Culture of Critique, and we continue to see it when the word "virulent" - meaning"
• "The gravest manifestation of the power of violence to remain alive and virulent occurs when the violated become abusers."