vitriolic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableformaldisapproving

   Full of bitter, savage criticism or hatred, especially in what someone says or writes.

   Grammar: Used mostly before nouns like attack, rant or review: a vitriolic attack.

   Patterns

   • vitriolic about something
   • a vitriolic attack on someone

   The columnist launched a vitriolic attack on the mayor.

   Her vitriolic reply to the email shocked everyone in the office.

   The comments section was filled with vitriolic abuse.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnicalold-fashioned

   Relating to or resembling vitriol, an old name for sulfuric acid and certain other corrosive substances.

   Grammar: A technical, mostly historical sense; the figurative meaning is far more common.

   The old chemist described the vitriolic fumes in his notebook.

   Workers handled the vitriolic liquid with leather gloves.

Word forms

Common combinations

vitriolic attack

The review was a vitriolic attack on the novel.

vitriolic criticism

He faced vitriolic criticism after the announcement.

vitriolic rant

The video was a vitriolic rant against the industry.

vitriolic language

Debate stalled because of the vitriolic language used by both sides.

Synonyms and how they differ

scathing

Scathing describes sharp, severe criticism, but it is usually controlled, while vitriolic suggests rage and hatred.

acerbic

Acerbic means sharp and bitter in a witty way, which is lighter than vitriolic.

venomous

Venomous implies poisonous malice, close to vitriolic, but can include quiet spite.

Opposites

Word family

vitriol noun

Bitterly cruel criticism, or an old term for sulfuric acid.

vitriolically adverb

In a bitterly harsh manner; rare.

Commonly confused: vitriolic or vitreous?

Practice

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