vitriol

noun vit·ri·ol \ ˈvi-trē-əl \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of vitriol

1 : something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality; especially : virulence of feeling or of speech

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

play \ˌvi-trē-ˈä-lik\ adjective

See vitriol defined for English-language learners

See vitriol defined for kids

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 of vitriol from the Web

Most simply voiced support for Obama’s policy, but some spat racist vitriol at Pai, who is a child of Indian immigrants, or even threatened his life.

— andrew rice, WIRED, "This Is Ajit Pai, Nemesis of Net Neutrality," 16 May 2018
But that was nothing compared to the vitriol coming from some other Iranian leaders.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "Iranian Lawmakers Burn U.S. Flag, Question Trump’s ‘Mental Capacity’ After Nuclear Deal Pullout," 9 May 2018
The job of taking this vitriol—and offering measured responses—falls to the social-media team behind @MTA and @NYCTSubway.

— mike vilensky, WSJ, "Worst Job in America: Responding to Irate Tweets From New York City Subway Riders," 8 May 2018
That vitriol politicized the idea of day care, poisoning the debate for decades.

— bryce covert, The New Republic, "A New Deal for Day Care," 1 May 2018
His vitriol often bounces back at himself - a boomerang full of self-deprecation.

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "Cleveland punk-rocker Lachlan MacKinnon releases irreverently funny memoir," 15 Mar. 2018
The Croatian centre back gave an awful account of himself during the Reds' 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Saturday and was the target of plenty vitriol following his performance.

— SI.com, "Liverpool Defender Dejan Lovren Under Investigation in Croatia Over Alleged False Testimony," 13 Mar. 2018
Last month, Newsweek reported that, despite his vitriol against Jews, Auernheimer is in fact of Jewish descent.

— rachel gutman, The Atlantic, "Who Is Weev, and Why Did He Derail a Journalist's Career?," 14 Feb. 2018
Much of that negativity was outright racist vitriol aimed at Chu’s Asian-American identity.

— adam lukach, RedEye Chicago, "'Who is Arthur Chu?' director hosts film screening and Q&A at Music Box this weekend," 15 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vitriol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vitriol

Middle English, from Anglo-French vitriole, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, alteration of Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year