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
There will, of course, be vitriol from Boston fans.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
The level of vitriol between the two fan bases, particularly online, is absolutely on par with some of the league’s best rivalries.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than being universally shouted down when those anti-Israel sentiments quickly morphed into anti-Jewish vitriol, they were tolerated, ignored and even celebrated on college campuses, in social media chatrooms and in the halls of Congress.
—Nolan Finley, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The vitriol reminded him of Germany in the years before 1933.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
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Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
The level of vitriol between the two fan bases, particularly online, is absolutely on par with some of the league’s best rivalries.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than being universally shouted down when those anti-Israel sentiments quickly morphed into anti-Jewish vitriol, they were tolerated, ignored and even celebrated on college campuses, in social media chatrooms and in the halls of Congress.
—Nolan Finley, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The vitriol reminded him of Germany in the years before 1933.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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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