vitriol

noun

vit·ri·ol | \ ˈvi-trē-əl

Definition of vitriol

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

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

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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

Over the past several years, the vitriol directed at members of the media has intensified in ways few Americans talk about any other professional community. — Eugene Scott, Washington Post, "The Capital Gazette shooting and what’s wrong with the current public discourse about the media," 29 June 2018 And though many in the country are pessimistic in the wake of recent events and the vitriol spewed by all sides in the ongoing disputes and political discourse on social media, Mazibuko remains optimistic. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings hope and harmony to Music Box," 21 Feb. 2018 That Miller suffered a probable career-ending left knee dislocation on the play, and the fact the initial touchdown ruling gave the Bears the lead in the third quarter, only added to the vitriol locally. — Rich Campbell, chicagotribune.com, "NFL to consider restoring 'football move' requirement for catch," 21 Mar. 2018 All social networks contain vitriol and bigotry, but not all social networks are equally associated with these things in the public imagination. — Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, "Reddit and the Struggle to Detoxify the Internet," 12 Mar. 2018 However, that vitriol over pandering to women in such a cliche way wasn't enough to stop another food and beverage company from making a similar choice. — Stacey Leasca, Glamour, "Johnnie Walker Invites Women to Drink Scotch With New 'Jane Walker' Label," 26 Feb. 2018 The struggles led to an endless stream of vitriol from a frustrated fan base. — Edgar Thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UF QB Feleipe Franks showcases running ability during Gators' spring game," 15 Apr. 2018 The match was disappearing from the clutches of the referee von Hertzka, and his own authority was continuously being undermined by aggression and vitriol from both sides. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 18 Weeks to Go - Remembering the Infamous 'Battle of Bordeaux'," 12 Feb. 2018 Kaufman, more of a performance artist than a comedian, was utterly committed to his elaborate comic schemes (such as wrestling women onstage, despite intense vitriol from audiences). — Tal Rosenberg, Chicago Reader, "The madness to Jim Carrey’s method," 10 Jan. 2018

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.