vitriol
noun
vit·ri·ol
ˈvi-trē-əl 
1
: bitterly harsh or caustic language or criticism
political commentators spewing angry vitriol
Rumor has always played a role in politics, but rarely have the backstage operatives been so adroit, and so cynical, in their use of vitriol.—
Walter Shapiro
Walter ShapiroCascades of multisyllabic vitriol engulf us as Conrad communicates his utter loathing of television …—Stanley Marcus
Stanley Marcus2
a
: a sulfate of any of various metals (such as copper, iron, or zinc)
especially
: a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate
b
Examples of vitriol in a Sentence
His speech was full of political vitriol.
a film critic noted for the vitriol and sometimes outright cruelty of his pronouncements
Recent Examples on the Web
Even asking that question today can result in a partisan backlash of vitriol and accusation.
—Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
But the recent vitriol online may threaten the peaceable mood of the campus, particularly when Steve Glinick moves from Rhode Island to his summer home at Chautauqua, where his daughter, Emily Glinick, lives year-round.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The good news is that, for the most part, the Aurora aldermanic races don’t seem to exhibit quite the vitriol as the mayoral race.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The original post quickly grew to over 126 million views on X, as people continued to send both vitriol and praise.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
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Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
But the recent vitriol online may threaten the peaceable mood of the campus, particularly when Steve Glinick moves from Rhode Island to his summer home at Chautauqua, where his daughter, Emily Glinick, lives year-round.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The good news is that, for the most part, the Aurora aldermanic races don’t seem to exhibit quite the vitriol as the mayoral race.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The original post quickly grew to over 126 million views on X, as people continued to send both vitriol and praise.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vitriol
noun
vit·ri·ol
ˈvi-trē-əl
: something (as written or spoken words) thought to be as harsh and burning as acid
Medical Definition
vitriol
noun
vit·ri·ol
ˈvi-trē-əl
1
: a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc)
2
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