vitriol
Americannoun
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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.
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oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
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something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.
verb (used with object)
noun
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another name for sulphuric acid
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any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )
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speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness
verb
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to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
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to treat with vitriol
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A former name for sulfuric acid.
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Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).
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See also blue vitriol
Etymology
Origin of vitriol
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole 1
Explanation
Vitriol is harsh, nasty criticism. You may have deserved some blame when the cake didn't rise, but the head chef's stream of vitriol was unnecessary. Back in the day, vitriol was the name for sulfuric acid, which burns through just about anything. So think of vitriol as language so mean-spirited and bitter that it could eat through metal: "As a divorce lawyer, you were familiar with vitriol, but nothing prepared you for the time you wore a Red Sox cap at Yankee Stadium."
Vocabulary lists containing vitriol
This Week in Words: October 21- 27, 2018
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This Week In Culture: November 23–29, 2019
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A Word's-Eye View of Presidential Candidates in 2016: Campaign Announcements
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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.
"I also want to make it clear Adam hadn't even seen this video, so any vitriol toward him is unwarranted," she said in the ten-minute long video.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
But there was no avoiding the level of attention, and vitriol, whipped up by Bezos’ participation or the larger issues it reflects.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
There’s only vitriol as he insults reporters as he claims he can do anything he wants.
From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026
But he heaped particular vitriol on the three conservatives.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
Koffi flinched away from the accusation in her head, from the vitriol in it.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
