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
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
The blogosphere lit up with left-wing vitriol against Maher, a comedian who has been highly critical of Trump for many years.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
Video-game fandom has historically featured venomous wings of extremism, and the online vitriol got so bad that Abby’s voice actor and motion-capture performer, Laura Bailey, started receiving death threats, some even targeting her newborn son.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
For all the vitriol this has caused in City Council meetings and legislatures, the overall pace of building has barely budged.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
She’s filled with vitriol and hate toward the man who the nation chose as its president.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
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Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
Video-game fandom has historically featured venomous wings of extremism, and the online vitriol got so bad that Abby’s voice actor and motion-capture performer, Laura Bailey, started receiving death threats, some even targeting her newborn son.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
For all the vitriol this has caused in City Council meetings and legislatures, the overall pace of building has barely budged.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
She’s filled with vitriol and hate toward the man who the nation chose as its president.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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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