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
One European seller expressed concern to us this week that their booth could be a target of ‘anti-Hollywood’ vitriol if the election goes against Trump.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Zhong faced a wave of online vitriol earlier this year from nationalists who accused him of a lack of patriotism in a campaign that hit the price of shares of his beverage company.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
The callousness of investigators, the craven police interrogation methods that seek to discount the memory of survivors by insisting the truth hinges on minute details and the vitriol of a misogynistic public are all on display in Black Box Diaries.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024
Amid the vitriol, one divisive figure back in the spotlight is Tucker Carlson, who formerly hosted a show on Fox News.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vitriol 
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Zhong faced a wave of online vitriol earlier this year from nationalists who accused him of a lack of patriotism in a campaign that hit the price of shares of his beverage company.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
The callousness of investigators, the craven police interrogation methods that seek to discount the memory of survivors by insisting the truth hinges on minute details and the vitriol of a misogynistic public are all on display in Black Box Diaries.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024
Amid the vitriol, one divisive figure back in the spotlight is Tucker Carlson, who formerly hosted a show on Fox News.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
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 Nov. 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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