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
Synonyms
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
And, despite a universal call to turn down the heated rhetoric, sorting through misinformation and political vitriol has become no less simple in the weeks since, said Laura Grace, director of programs for Common Ground USA.
—Lauren Jessop | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Aug. 2024
At Friday's press conference, Adams also called for an end to the vitriol directed at both boxers.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024
Her heritage and status as a powerful woman on the cusp of winning the Oval Office has, quite plainly, spurred the attacks drenched in racist and sexist vitriol.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 24 July 2024
Conspiracy theories are a symptom of a sickness in contemporary life that values stirring up emotions and spreading vitriol over tolerance, civility and viewing someone from another party as a person with different opinions, not an enemy.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for vitriol 
Lauren Jessop | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Aug. 2024
At Friday's press conference, Adams also called for an end to the vitriol directed at both boxers.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024
Her heritage and status as a powerful woman on the cusp of winning the Oval Office has, quite plainly, spurred the attacks drenched in racist and sexist vitriol.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 24 July 2024
Conspiracy theories are a symptom of a sickness in contemporary life that values stirring up emotions and spreading vitriol over tolerance, civility and viewing someone from another party as a person with different opinions, not an enemy.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for vitriol
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vitriol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vitriol
Cite this Entry
“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitriol. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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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