adjective
-
(of a substance, esp a strong acid) highly corrosive
-
severely bitter or caustic; virulent
vitriolic criticism
Other Word Forms
- nonvitriolic adjective
Etymology
Origin of vitriolic
Explanation
Mean, nasty, and caustic as the worst acid, vitriolic words can hurt feelings, break hearts, and even lead to violence. Vitriolic is an adjective related to the noun vitriol — which means a metal sulphate. However, you will most likely NOT hear vitriolic used to describe a chemical reaction. You are more likely to hear vitriolic used to describe caustic words. We've seen some examples in recent political campaigns, and the results are always embarrassing. Avoid using vitriolic language whenever possible, and you will keep your friends — and your dignity.
Vocabulary lists containing vitriolic
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
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Becoming
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the publicity around the leaderboard has stirred up a vitriolic debate about the merits of “tokenmaxxing,” a Silicon Valley term for using as many tokens as possible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
She added: “The lead dissent ignores ordinary principles of dignity and civility and demeans this court. Neither the parties nor the panel dissent found it necessary to invoke such crude and vitriolic language.”
From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026
Years on from the vitriolic headlines, Reed said he still suffers from what he calls a "false" bad-boy reputation, and so does his family.
From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025
But it's also been thrust into the headlines because of an astonishingly vitriolic exchange between Kigali and Johannesburg.
From BBC • Feb. 7, 2025
Her resentment surfaced in the form of vitriolic attacks upon your corporate structure.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
