as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language
braced himself for another vitriolic dressing-down by his perennially displeased father
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Recent Examples of vitriolic
What was meant to be a moment of silence for Kirk on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening soon gave way to flashes of a vitriolic political divide that would escalate in the aftermath of the 31-year-old’s death.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Still, people are allowed to form their own opinions and have their own preferences — and that shouldn’t come with vitriolic attacks on social media.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Reaching consensus on the approach that will work best to meet the short and long-term needs of poor families means everyone must move away from absolutist positions, and discussions concerning the issue must be comprehensive, open and honest rather than accusatory and vitriolic.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In the Facebook comments accompanying the announcement, following a scattering of positive reactions, the conversation turned vitriolic.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
As many comics skirt or completely ignore the vitriolic landscape, Maron has no intention of doing anything but lean in further.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
As Rowling’s views have grown louder and more vitriolic, actors attached to projects in the still-growing Harry Potter universe have made several statements condemning her views.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 11 Aug. 2025
Chad De Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Still, people are allowed to form their own opinions and have their own preferences — and that shouldn’t come with vitriolic attacks on social media.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Reaching consensus on the approach that will work best to meet the short and long-term needs of poor families means everyone must move away from absolutist positions, and discussions concerning the issue must be comprehensive, open and honest rather than accusatory and vitriolic.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
In the Facebook comments accompanying the announcement, following a scattering of positive reactions, the conversation turned vitriolic.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
As many comics skirt or completely ignore the vitriolic landscape, Maron has no intention of doing anything but lean in further.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
As Rowling’s views have grown louder and more vitriolic, actors attached to projects in the still-growing Harry Potter universe have made several statements condemning her views.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitriolic
Adjective
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The fourth episode depicts him as a negligent and emotionally abusive lover to Satan, further connecting him to the show’s previous portrayals of Saddam Hussein.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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This all in spite of Johanne’s best efforts to present Johanna in the most radiant of lights, a fact Johanna deems as abusive more than flattering.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Sep. 2025
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The whole thing feels redundant and borderline insulting.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The lack of answers and accountability is outrageous, said Adjua Broadbelt, her niece.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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The publication calls it a white-knuckle favorite standing more than 200 feet high and featuring outrageous maneuvers.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the years intervening, the poem has remained a lodestar, a contravening presence when, in present day America’s vituperative political landscape, the humanities disciplines and higher education itself has been forced to invoke and defend its own authority.—
Elaine L. Wang
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Even the company’s most vituperative detractors acknowledge its engineering genius and applaud its success in driving down launch expenses (unlike many defense contractors, SpaceX largely eats the cost of its failures).—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as a married couple whose once-happy relationship dissolves into invective and hatred under the pressures of modern life.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The researchers forced Gemini to delete messages, spew invective at the user, steal email messages, and even use Google Home to open windows.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The store supplied her with bondage pants, kilts, and T-shirts printed with obscene illustrations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vitriolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitriolic. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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