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

Cascades of multisyllabic vitriol engulf us as Conrad communicates his utter loathing of television …

—Stanley Marcus

2

a

: a sulfate of any of various metals (such as copper, iron, or zinc)

especially : a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate

b

: oil of vitriol

vitriolic

ˌvi-trē-ˈä-lik 

adjective

vitriolic personal attacks

a vitriolic debate/dispute

Synonyms

• acidity
• acidness
• acridity
• acridness
• acrimony
• asperity
• bile
• bitterness
• cattiness
• corrosiveness
• mordancy
• tartness
• virulence
• virulency

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

While the seven-time champion didn't receive the same amount of public vitriol, Hamilton faced a ton of backlash as the sport's first Black driver. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

Of people taking tough votes, of standing up to their own party or standing up for a certain issue, knowing that this could bring onto them more than just vitriol online, but literally someone to their front door that could harm them and their family. —Nbc News, NBC news, 15 June 2025

Angel Reese is the subject of constant vitriol, and professional boxer Claressa Shields recently joined the slew of critics after losing the 2025 BET Sportswoman Of The Year award to the Chicago Sky’s star forward. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 12 June 2025

On a long album full of romantic vitriol and emotional desolation, songs in this mode provide brief eruptions of uplift — a necessary counterbalance. —Elias Leight, Billboard, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vitriole, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, alteration of Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing vitriol

• blue vitriol
• oil of vitriol

Kids 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

: oil of vitriol