vitriolic

[ vi-tree-ol-ik ]

/ ˌvɪ triˈɒl ɪk /

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adjective

of, relating to, or resembling vitriol.

obtained from vitriol.

very caustic; scathing: vitriolic criticism.

Nearby words

Origin of vitriolic

First recorded in 1660–70; vitriol + -ic

SYNONYMS FOR vitriolic

3. acid, bitter.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vitriolic ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR vitriolic

3. bland, mild.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vitriolic

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Sterility falls short of the idea—a hungry, vitriolic gravel.
Makers of Modern Agriculture|William Macdonald
The Vitriolic Acid is much heavier and much less volatile than water.
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.|Pierre Joseph Macquer
A famous satirist and poet catapults slurred, vitriolic diatribes at a guest from the West that I brought with me.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
In another experiment of the same kind, I used the vitriolic acid with the same event.
Experiments upon magnesia alba, Quicklime, and some other Alcaline Substances|Joseph Black
He therefore mentions two vitriolic substances, a slime or sediment (salsugo), and a yellow vitriolic earth (called also misy).
A History of Inventions, Discoveries, and Origins, Volume II (of 2)|Johann Beckman

British Dictionary definitions for vitriolic

vitriolic

/ (ˌvɪtrɪˈɒlɪk) /

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

vitriolic

adj.

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

vitriolic

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of vitriolic

Examples from the Web for vitriolic

vitriolic

adjective

vitriolic