venom

1 of 2

noun

ven·​om ˈve-nəm How to pronounce venom (audio)
Synonyms of venomnext
1
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly : a substance that is poisonous
2
: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence

venom

2 of 2

verb

venomed; venoming; venoms

transitive verb

: envenom

Synonyms of venom

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Noun

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Examples of venom in a Sentence

Noun She spoke of him with venom in her voice. He spewed venom against his rival.
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.
Noun
Chelsea attack with venom; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers are darting flashes of blue steel. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Again, a dose of anti-venom was immediately administered after Magic was taken to the vet. — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 To help in her grieving process from her father’s death, Watts and McCollough took bufo, an intense, ego-death psychedelic derived from the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 Instead of creams and balms that temporarily relieve the itch, this inconspicuous tool uses suction to directly remove insect venom, stingers, and saliva from the bite site. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for venom

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus

Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."

Verb

Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venim venom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of venom was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing venom

Rhymes for venom

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Browse Nearby Words

venography
venom
venomness
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Cite this Entry

“Venom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venom. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

venom

noun
ven·​om
ˈven-əm
1
: poison produced by some animals (as a snake, scorpion, or bee) and passed to a victim usually by biting or stinging
2
: spite entry 1, malice

Medical Definition

venom

noun
ven·​om ˈven-əm How to pronounce venom (audio)
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly : a substance that is poisonous

More from Merriam-Webster on venom

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about venom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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