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
Synonyms
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 recent wave of vitriol is forcing some to reckon with a growing disconnect among their audiences.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
This theory seems to be amplified with climate change creating worsening storms combined with a tense election year, and the vitriol is being directed at meteorologists.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024
People are still psyched to go to the movies; the fanbase for this one just felt let down (there’s certainly a lot of vitriol out there).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The move has engendered a lot of vitriol among A's fans, particularly because the team will be temporarily moving to a minor league stadium in Sacramento, Calf., for at least the next three to four seasons.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vitriol 
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
This theory seems to be amplified with climate change creating worsening storms combined with a tense election year, and the vitriol is being directed at meteorologists.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024
People are still psyched to go to the movies; the fanbase for this one just felt let down (there’s certainly a lot of vitriol out there).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The move has engendered a lot of vitriol among A's fans, particularly because the team will be temporarily moving to a minor league stadium in Sacramento, Calf., for at least the next three to four seasons.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vitriol
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vitriol.' 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 vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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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