vitriolic

[vi-tree-ol-ik]

See more synonyms for vitriolic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling vitriol.
obtained from vitriol.
very caustic; scathing: vitriolic criticism.

Origin of vitriolic

First recorded in 1660–70; vitriol + -ic

Related formsnon·vit·ri·ol·ic, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for vitriolic on Thesaurus.com

3. acid, bitter.

Antonyms

3. bland, mild.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for vitriolic

Contemporary Examples

For women on the Internet, vitriolic abuse is simply a fact of life.
Will the Internet Ever Be Safe for Women?
Samantha Allen
August 28, 2014
By the time Budden began the final round, the audience was vitriolic, already turned against him.
America’s Poets: Battle Rap Gets Real
Rich Goldstein
July 15, 2014
In August: Osage County, Streep and Roberts play mother and daughter in a deranged and vitriolic Oklahoman family.
Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts Finally Collide in ‘August: Osage County’
Kevin Fallon
December 24, 2013
This represents a level of vitriolic polarization unthinkable even four years ago.
Contempt: Democrats and Republicans Now See The Other Party As Worthless
Michael Medved
October 16, 2012
The vitriolic discourse can also be linked to bias-based violence against other communities.
The Rise of Hate Crimes Can Be Tied Directly to Hateful Speech
Hansdeep Singh, Simran Jeet Singh
September 6, 2012

Historical Examples

He let loose some vitriolic verbiage, using Drake as the objective-point.
Garrison's Finish
W. B. M. Ferguson
Even that place of security did not, however, save him from her vitriolic tongue.
Mam' Lyddy's Recognition
Thomas Nelson Page
But Casey got him outside and administered a vitriolic lecture that had some effect.
Desert Conquest
A. M. Chisholm
Proclamations blossomed on every tree, couched in vitriolic language.
The Eternal Boy
Owen Johnson
She was in one of her vitriolic moods now because of the Lusitania.
The Cup of Fury
Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for vitriolic

vitriolic

adjective

(of a substance, esp a strong acid) highly corrosive
severely bitter or caustic; virulentvitriolic criticism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for vitriolic

adj.

1660s, from French vitriolique (16c.) or from vitriol + -ic. Figurative use by 1841.

vitriolic

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}vitriolic

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for vitriolic

Contemporary Examples

For women on the Internet, vitriolic abuse is simply a fact of life.

By the time Budden began the final round, the audience was vitriolic, already turned against him.

In August: Osage County, Streep and Roberts play mother and daughter in a deranged and vitriolic Oklahoman family.

This represents a level of vitriolic polarization unthinkable even four years ago.

The vitriolic discourse can also be linked to bias-based violence against other communities.

Historical Examples

He let loose some vitriolic verbiage, using Drake as the objective-point.

Even that place of security did not, however, save him from her vitriolic tongue.

But Casey got him outside and administered a vitriolic lecture that had some effect.

Proclamations blossomed on every tree, couched in vitriolic language.

She was in one of her vitriolic moods now because of the Lusitania.

vitriolic

Word Origin and History for vitriolic

adj.

Origin of vitriolic