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
Criticisms against Whitfield The target of much of the parents’ vitriol was Whitfield.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Also, filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the…
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) July 13, 2025
The statement provoked further backlash from some Christian influencers and commentators.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2025
Even as fans spew hate and vitriol at him through social media.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Beneath many, many layers of digital vitriol, there may even be room for agreement between the two camps.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
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Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Also, filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the…
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) July 13, 2025
The statement provoked further backlash from some Christian influencers and commentators.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2025
Even as fans spew hate and vitriol at him through social media.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Beneath many, many layers of digital vitriol, there may even be room for agreement between the two camps.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 8 July 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 29 Jul. 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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