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vitriolic

adjective

Definition of vitriolicnext
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language braced himself for another vitriolic dressing-down by his perennially displeased father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vitriolic While sometimes vitriolic discussions about the gargantuan structures have accompanied increasingly unavoidable AI conversations, data centers themselves have been around since the 1940s. — Greta Reich, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The comments under Miller’s social media posts grew startlingly vitriolic. — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Steve, some of the most vitriolic and toxic letters have come from you. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026 With Hayward’s growing concern about the vitriolic condition of American politics, the phrase felt resonant. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Trump administration officials have repeatedly engaged in vitriolic attacks against the company, and its CEO Dario Amodei. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 June 2026 At times, that grief turned to vitriolic anger. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 In today’s world, this is not only rare but also contrary to a pervasive culture of self-promotion and vitriolic hate against everyone who doesn’t bow. — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 With venom and shrewd determination, Nicholson paints his character as a swaggering monster who milks every syllable of his dialogue with vitriolic relish. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitriolic
  1. abusive
  2. insulting
  3. outrageous
  4. vituperative
  5. obscene
Adjective
  • Many viewers left that film unconvinced Rockwell’s abusive cop deserved the redemption he was given.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Reminiscent of the discussions around Michael Jackson’s upbringing, this Lanterns episode has sparked specific conversations about parenting Black boys and children into greatness, and what actions constitute abusive or unhealthy parenting.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Part true crime, part tall tale, this is a story about friendship, outrageous antics, betrayal, and a whole lot of weed.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Winning the biggest tournaments in tennis is usually about coming up with some outrageous forehands and backhand and serves in the biggest moments.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative
Adjective
  • Last year, after signing a $132 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a trade, he was docked another $26,000 for fighting and making an obscene gesture.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There was a dog’s leg that had been sewn on near a man’s crotch in a way that seemed like an obscene visual pun.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscene

Browse Nearby Words

vitriol
vitriolic
vitriols
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Cite this Entry

“Vitriolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitriolic. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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