vitriol

noun

vit·ri·ol | \ ˈvi-trē-əl

Definition of vitriol

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

2a : 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

Other Words from vitriol Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About vitriol

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Other Words from vitriol

vitriolic \ ˌvi-trē-ˈä-lik

\ adjective

vitriolic personal attacks a vitriolic debate/dispute

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 Low-flying planes, machine guns, and the massive property destruction and hundreds of lives lost were among the ways the white establishment tried to implement its homegrown and unlawful display of racist vitriol towards Black people. — Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 2 June 2021 Scott has been the target of vitriol since his rebuttal of President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress last week. — Fox News, 5 May 2021 The 2020 season, abbreviated and fanless due to COVID-19, shielded them from the brunt of the vitriol. — Tyler Stafford, Chron, 1 Apr. 2021 Players like Westbrook and Young have largely showed restraint when receiving vitriol from fans. — New York Times, 27 May 2021 And the mercurial Lord Farquad wouldn’t have such a square jaw and prominent browline without Katzenberg developing such vitriol for his former boss. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 May 2021 North Korean propaganda has long struck a familiar chord, spewing vitriol toward imperialist outsiders and fawning over the ruling Kim family’s achievements. — Andrew Jeong, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2020 Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, said American Jews believe they are being singled out for attacks and vitriol, yet also see antisemitism as part of a broader national problem of bigotry and intolerance. — David Crary, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021 The vitriol intensified when Houston’s lineup was introduced, focused on the four lineup regulars remaining from 2017 — Altuve, Bregman, Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa. — courant.com, 4 May 2021

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.