VIRILE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

virile

adjective

ˈvir-əl

Definition of virile

as in male

of, relating to, or marked by qualities traditionally associated with men men were once expected to be interested only in such virile activities as hunting

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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 virile Hundreds of frat boys came out to watch a head-to-head match between the effluvia of USC’s and UCLA’s most virile students, moving through a plastic maze. — Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 America is strong, America is virile. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026 And the possibility of a virile and serious and seriously taken black man—all three—is ignored in virtually the entire world of Cather’s and Hemingway’s fiction. — Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026 Rather than prizing animals for their beauty, their virile traits or their straight-up cool characteristics, frogposting is all about vulnerable animals—the dweebs of the animal kingdom. — Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for virile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for virile

Adjective

With Harald’s birth, the male line of succession to the crown was secured.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
In 2024, 30 years after Lopez was found dead, police offered a 2,500 euro reward for information leading to an arrest after a male DNA trace was discovered.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of male

Adjective

The colors are widely understood to respectively represent masculine and feminine genders, which are usually assigned at birth, as well as persons who are agender (genderless or gender neutral), intersex, or in gender transition.

— Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026
Instead, Brink and stylist Shiona Turini consistently blend masculine tailoring and feminine silhouettes to create looks worth emulating all autumn long.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of masculine

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viridity

virile

virility

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“Virile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virile. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of virile

adjective

Example Sentences

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