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
In an online world filled with vitriol, the father of six and grandfather of 15 continues to be a social media influencer who tries to teach where hate can lead with a mix of stories, dancing, and humor.
—Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Apr. 2025
Jey Uso’s unanimous popularity IRL paints an entirely different picture of any social media vitriol, which is always polarizing.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This cognitive dissonance is part of the reason so many people respond to the straight natural community with such passion and, in some cases, vitriol.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
But that didn’t erase the lingering aftereffects of the extended vitriol that Tran faced after Star Wars.
—James Factora, Them., 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
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Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Apr. 2025
Jey Uso’s unanimous popularity IRL paints an entirely different picture of any social media vitriol, which is always polarizing.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This cognitive dissonance is part of the reason so many people respond to the straight natural community with such passion and, in some cases, vitriol.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
But that didn’t erase the lingering aftereffects of the extended vitriol that Tran faced after Star Wars.
—James Factora, Them., 16 Apr. 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 30 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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