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
But more interesting is how Kincaid precisely depicts the feeling of living with the vitriol of a man who has not yet given himself permission to leave you.
—Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
The digital vitriol is so threatening that 34 percent of Jews who reported feeling physically threatened by antisemitism online have considered leaving the U.S. in the last year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
But many of us didn’t expect the anti-woman vitriol to be this blatant.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025
Disagreement between Maryland’s Democratic legislature and our former Republican governor was real but never descended into the name-calling and vitriol that defines so much of American politics.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for vitriol 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
The digital vitriol is so threatening that 34 percent of Jews who reported feeling physically threatened by antisemitism online have considered leaving the U.S. in the last year.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
But many of us didn’t expect the anti-woman vitriol to be this blatant.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025
Disagreement between Maryland’s Democratic legislature and our former Republican governor was real but never descended into the name-calling and vitriol that defines so much of American politics.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for vitriol
Dictionary Entries Near vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 23 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share