vitriol

American  

[vi-tree-uhl] / ˈvɪ tri əl /

noun

1. Chemistry. any of certain metallic sulfates of glassy appearance, as copper sulfate or blue vitriol, iron sulfate or green vitriol, zinc sulfate or white vitriol, etc.

2. oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.

3. something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

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verb (used with object)

vitrioled, vitrioling, vitriolled, vitriolling

1. to treat with or as with vitriol, especially sulfuric acid.

vitriol British  

/ ˈvɪtrɪˌɒl /

noun

1. another name for sulphuric acid

2. any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )

3. speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness

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verb

1. to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol

2. to treat with vitriol

vitriol Scientific  

/ vĭt′rē-ōl′,-əl /

1. A former name for sulfuric acid.

2. Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).

3. See also blue vitriol

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Etymology

Origin of vitriol

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole ¹

Example Sentences

Beijing first let loose a flood of official vitriol at Ms. Takaichi.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

HBO boss Casey Bloys told multiple outlets this week that the network had taken precautions anticipating the vitriol the “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” actors would face.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

But Trump saved his greatest vitriol for a Truth Social Post on Friday.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

But he heaped particular vitriol on the three conservatives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Some were furious at Cervantes, others were spouting vitriol at Rowan for what he had done.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• nastiness
• sarcasm
• venom