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

Finally, putting all this on what will be a young, unknown child actor feels almost dangerous, given the vitriol of the internet over how a change like this would be received. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Andress didn’t immediately realize how badly the performance went, but the online vitriol that followed quickly opened her eyes to how serious the issue was. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025

The vitriol and hate from all corners is further dividing our country and communities. —Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

Trump’s vitriol against Zelensky came after the Ukrainian president dismissed an initial proposal from the U.S. calling for 50 percent ownership of Ukraine’s rare Earth minerals. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2025

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