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
The rhetoric was vitriolic and often more about the man than the ideas or principles behind a particular political issue.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Online, the responses turned vitriolic.
—Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
To attend an Old Firm fixture, as the rivalry is known, is to understand the frenetic, vitriolic, passionate and sometimes poisonous world of football in Glasgow.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
When the San Francisco Chronicle axed its stand-alone books section, in 2001, the paper’s editors were overwhelmed by an ensuing crush of vitriolic mail.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
In the live chat of viewers following along, the commentary ranged from appreciative to vitriolic.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Indeed, few of today’s comments about Washington and slavery are more vitriolic than the criticisms levied by his nineteenth-century critics.
—John Garrison Marks, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
The anonymous force behind Signal 99 – the Facebook, Instagram and X pages known for vitriolic posts often mocking area Democrats – is no longer a mystery.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump posted about the tragic news on Monday morning, upsetting many with his vitriolic reaction to Rob's death, in particular.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Online, the responses turned vitriolic.
—Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
To attend an Old Firm fixture, as the rivalry is known, is to understand the frenetic, vitriolic, passionate and sometimes poisonous world of football in Glasgow.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
When the San Francisco Chronicle axed its stand-alone books section, in 2001, the paper’s editors were overwhelmed by an ensuing crush of vitriolic mail.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
In the live chat of viewers following along, the commentary ranged from appreciative to vitriolic.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Indeed, few of today’s comments about Washington and slavery are more vitriolic than the criticisms levied by his nineteenth-century critics.
—John Garrison Marks, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
The anonymous force behind Signal 99 – the Facebook, Instagram and X pages known for vitriolic posts often mocking area Democrats – is no longer a mystery.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Dec. 2025
Trump posted about the tragic news on Monday morning, upsetting many with his vitriolic reaction to Rob's death, in particular.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitriolic
Adjective
-
Brown’s action added fuel to reports of behind-the-scenes tension after a 2024 Rolling Stone investigation dug into cast member Jonathan Van Ness’ alleged emotionally abusive behavior.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
Her mother’s family left Mexico to flee from the abusive nature of her maternal grandfather.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
These character endnotes, whether they’re read as youthful naiveté or an insulting interpretation of youthful naiveté, contribute to the finale’s bitter aftertaste.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
-
The comments were not well received, with locals telling BBC Scotland News that the description was insulting and did not reflect the people in the area.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is outrageous — and devastating.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
-
Pratt’s outrageous on-screen antics placed him at the center of many feuds.—
Louis Staples,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
It was seized by the post office (as Rosset had expected) and duly declared obscene by the postmaster of the city of New York, a man named Robert Christenberry.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Who says a man can’t appreciate the gleaming, obscene form of an Aston Martin supercar or the growl of its overpriced engine?—
Alex James Kane,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vitriolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitriolic. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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