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

The online vitriol that has been unleashed against the health insurance industry in the past two weeks has unmasked a profound level of despair, powerlessness and anger experienced by millions of Americans who feel betrayed by our healthcare system. —Renee Hsia, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Sweeney is, of course, far closer to the culture-at-large’s Platonic ideal of symmetrical blonde womanhood than many, and she is doubtless spared much of the vitriol that other women in the public eye (most women in the TikTok age, really) aren’t. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024

Witty also addressed the vitriol swirling online, which has also been directed at others who work for UnitedHealth Group. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024

Frustration over denials and medical costs has fueled an outpouring of vitriol against health insurance companies in the wake of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024

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