venom

noun

ˈve-nəm How to pronounce venom (audio)
Definition of venomnext
1
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing an antidote to snake venom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm a neighborhood gossip of such venom that she was feared by all and genuinely liked by no one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of venom 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 Ultimately, the snakes posing the greatest danger are often not those with the strongest venom, but those most likely to encounter people far from adequate healthcare. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 The venom is mildly toxic to mammals such as mice, and it is reported to only cause inflammation and skin discoloration in humans. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026 So, yes, there’s a reason most of us are right handed and no, dinosaurs have never actually spit venom. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for venom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venom
  1. poison
  2. malice
  3. toxic
  4. hatred
  5. disease
  6. toxin
Noun
  • Liakopoulos cautions against using rodent poison to get rid of mice without the supervision of a pro.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Aquatic biologists will apply a piscicide, or an organic poison, to the waters to kill the brook trout.
    — Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of poison
Noun
  • Good intentions can become intentional malice when policymakers ignore clear warnings and leave taxpayers stuck with the bill.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Takamura tasks Musashi with eliminating the malice that has spread around the city.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of malice
Noun
  • In late May, about 50,000 people in Orange County were evacuated because, at a Garden Grove site operated by GKN Aerospace, tanks holding a volatile hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate were at risk of exploding or leaking toxics.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Munoz is an independent toxicologist working in collaboration with MAHA against pesticides and toxics.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of toxic
Noun
  • His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.
    — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • But rates of cardiac disease have fallen in recent years, as the medical community pivots to managing cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes—all risk factors for heart disease.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The administration said 80% of insurers pledged changes to preauthorization requirements for 80% of diseases and injuries by January 2026.
    — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • The California State Senate passed a bill Thursday to regulate potential toxins in diapers — a product moms, dads and caregivers may use up to 8,000 times before a child is potty-trained.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Spring honey carries the highest toxin concentrations of the year.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of toxin

Browse Nearby Words

venial
venom
venomous
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Cite this Entry

“Venom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venom. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on venom

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about venom

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