venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
1
: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death
venomous snakes
2
: full of venom: such as
b
: noxious, pernicious
expose a venomous dope ringDon Porter
c
: spiteful, malevolent
venomous criticism
venomously adverb
venomousness noun

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake. a venomous attack on his character
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His videos often consisted of him handling venomous snakes, showing off crocodiles and taking care of the family’s giraffe. Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 The billing problem: The high cost of antivenom The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates venomous snakes bite 7,000 to 8,000 people in the United States every year. Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 Colorado man died from pet Gila monster’s venomous bite, autopsy shows Monterey Bay Aquarium. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 Given the large number of snakes in the country, 12,000 people were treated for venomous snake and animal bites in the country in 2023, and 26 of those people, according to Thailand’s National Health Security office, per CNN. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for venomous 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of venomous was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near venomous

Cite this Entry

“Venomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venomous. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective
ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
: having or producing venom
venomous snakes
venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective
ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs How to pronounce venomous (audio)
1
2
: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death
the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous

More from Merriam-Webster on venomous

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