Venomous is an adjectiveA word that describes a noun or pronoun. with two main meanings. It can describe something that is full of bitter hostilityStrong anger or unfriendliness toward someone or something. or meant to hurt, and it can also describe an animal or creature that produces venomA poisonous substance made by some animals and used to injure others..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈvɛnəməs/
Easy pronunciation: VEN-uh-muhs (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable.
Use this pronunciation for the adjective meaning marked by deep ill will or deliberately harmful.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Venomous Meaning
full of hatred or meant to hurt someone
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
Example: She made a venomous remark about his work.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- vicious — Works well for hostile, harmful behavior or speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Venomous
Meaning 2
capable of injecting venom or causing serious harm
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
Example: The hikers were warned about venomous snakes.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- poisonous — Common and natural for animals or substances that can cause harm.
- deadly — Works in some contexts, but it is broader and does not specifically mean 'producing venom'.
- virulent — Can fit in technical or figurative use, especially for diseases or harmful agents, but is less direct than poisonous.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Venomous Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- vicious
extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
- poisonous
- deadly
- virulent
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using venomous to mean the same as poisonous in every context.
- Mixing up the hostile sense with the literal animal or toxin sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does venomous mean in simple English?
It usually means either very hostile and hurtful, or able to produce venom and cause harm.
Is venomous the same as poisonous?
Not exactly. Venomous usually refers to something that injects venom, while poisonous more broadly means toxic if touched, eaten, or inhaled.
What is a synonym for venomous criticism?
A good synonym is vicious, because it suggests harsh, intentionally hurtful criticism.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
