1
a
: a common Eurasian venomous snake (Vipera berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and is usually not fatal to humans
broadly
: any of a family (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers
b
: a venomous or reputedly venomous snake
2
: a vicious or treacherous person
Examples of viper in a Sentence
a viper sliding silently through the field
Recent Examples on the Web
The rabbits’ range has shrunk over the years, and the rabbits have also been preyed upon by invasive mongooses that had been introduced to curb viper populations in the area.
—
Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Between la vase and the viper, life was beginning to feel dangerous, but also more interesting.
—Rosanna Warren, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
At three and a half hours, the film is free to explore the far-reaching tentacles of the plot against the Osage people, giving Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance time to marinate in its own bankrupt acidity and for Robert De Niro’s genial old viper to properly sharpen his fangs.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Populations of the viper species are found in areas across the eastern United States, including in Connecticut, where they are concentrated in the central lowland region west of the Connecticut River, the state government writes in a description of the copperhead on its website.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for viper 
Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Between la vase and the viper, life was beginning to feel dangerous, but also more interesting.
—Rosanna Warren, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
At three and a half hours, the film is free to explore the far-reaching tentacles of the plot against the Osage people, giving Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance time to marinate in its own bankrupt acidity and for Robert De Niro’s genial old viper to properly sharpen his fangs.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Populations of the viper species are found in areas across the eastern United States, including in Connecticut, where they are concentrated in the central lowland region west of the Connecticut River, the state government writes in a description of the copperhead on its website.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for viper
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'viper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near viper
Cite this Entry
“Viper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viper. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
viper
noun
vi·per
ˈvī-pər 
1
: any of a family of poisonous snakes having heavy bodies, broad heads, and hollow tube-shaped fangs and including Old World snakes and the pit vipers
2
: any snake that is poisonous or that is believed to be poisonous
Medical Definition
viper
noun
vi·per
ˈvī-pər
1
: a common Eurasian venomous snake of the genus Vipera (V. berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and whose bite is usually not fatal to humans
broadly
: any snake of an Old World subfamily (Viperinae) of the family Viperidae
2
3
: a venomous or reputedly venomous snake
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