Venom — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈve-nəm/ ven·om

Meaning & Definition of Venom

Venom (noun)

  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 (verb)

  1. envenom

Venom (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing

    "an antidote to snake venom"

    similar: bane, poison, toxic, toxin
    related: cancer, contagion, disease, virus, fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant
    near: antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate, cure, cure-all, elixir, panacea

  2. 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"

    similar: cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, viciousness
    related: abusiveness, cruelty, abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment, despicableness, invidiousness, vengefulness, vindictiveness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, bitchery, bitchiness, contempt, disdain, jealousy, pique, scorn, bile, virulence, vitriol
    near: devotion, love, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship, affection, charity, kindliness, kindness, comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Venom

The most common words with a similar meaning to Venom:

bane, poison, toxic, toxin, cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, viciousness

Related Words for Venom

cancer, contagion, disease, virus, fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant, abusiveness, cruelty, abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor

Near Antonyms of Venom

antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate, cure, cure-all, elixir, panacea, devotion, love, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship, affection, charity, kindliness, kindness, comity, empathy, friendship

Word Forms of Venom

Inflections: venomed, venoming, venoms

Origin & Etymology of Venom

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 venus

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Venom

spit blood/venom

Frequently Asked Questions about Venom

What does "Venom" mean?

"Venom" means 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. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: 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. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Venom"?

Other words for "Venom" include bane, poison, toxic, toxin, cattiness, despite, hatefulness and malevolence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Venom" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Venom"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Venom". Common alternatives include bane, poison, toxic, toxin, cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice and maliciousness.

How do you use "Venom" in a sentence?

Examples of "Venom" in a sentence: "an antidote to snake venom"; "a neighborhood gossip of such venom that she was feared by all and genuinely liked by no one".

Is "Venom" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Venom" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Venom"?

"Venom" is pronounced /ˈve-nəm/ and divided into syllables as ven·om.

What is the origin of the word "Venom"?

"Venom" comes from 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 venus. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Venom" meaning "a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing"?

When "Venom" (noun) means a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing, synonyms include bane, poison, toxic and toxin.