Vitriolic
adjective
Language or behavior that is filled with bitter criticism and malice.
She was subjected to vitriolic personal attacks during her speech
Often appears as...
- vitriolic attack
- vitriolic criticism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or derived from vitriol or sulfuric acid.
Vitriolic solutions are often used in chemical reactions
Often appears as...
- vitriolic solution
- vitriolic reaction
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Language or behavior that is filled with bitter criticism and malice.
She was subjected to vitriolic personal attacks during her speech
Often appears as...
- vitriolic attack
- vitriolic criticism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or derived from vitriol or sulfuric acid.
Vitriolic solutions are often used in chemical reactions
Often appears as...
- vitriolic solution
- vitriolic reaction
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
'Vitriolic' implies strong negative feelings, often used when emotions like anger or frustration are intense.
His speech was unexpectedly vitriolic, shocking the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Harsh Criticism
Use 'vitriolic' to describe language that is not just critical but extremely harsh and hurtful.
The review was so vitriolic that the artist took a break from public performances.
Pro Tip 3/3Intensity Matters
'Vitriolic' is appropriate for very strong language, so don't use it for mild or constructive criticism.
He responded to the mild feedback with an unexpectedly vitriolic outburst.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
'Vitriolic' implies strong negative feelings, often used when emotions like anger or frustration are intense.
His speech was unexpectedly vitriolic, shocking the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Harsh Criticism
Use 'vitriolic' to describe language that is not just critical but extremely harsh and hurtful.
The review was so vitriolic that the artist took a break from public performances.
Pro Tip 3/3Intensity Matters
'Vitriolic' is appropriate for very strong language, so don't use it for mild or constructive criticism.
He responded to the mild feedback with an unexpectedly vitriolic outburst.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
'Vitriolic' implies strong negative feelings, often used when emotions like anger or frustration are intense.
His speech was unexpectedly vitriolic, shocking the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Harsh Criticism
Use 'vitriolic' to describe language that is not just critical but extremely harsh and hurtful.
The review was so vitriolic that the artist took a break from public performances.
Pro Tip 3/3Intensity Matters
'Vitriolic' is appropriate for very strong language, so don't use it for mild or constructive criticism.
He responded to the mild feedback with an unexpectedly vitriolic outburst.
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Video examples
How online abuse of...
This vitriolic, global outpouring of the most heinous hate death threats, rape threats. And don't you know, when I was sitting at home alone in my nightgown, I got a phone call, and it was my beloved former husband, and he said on a voice mail,
Video examples
How online abuse of...
This vitriolic, global outpouring of the most heinous hate death threats, rape threats. And don't you know, when I was sitting at home alone in my nightgown, I got a phone call, and it was my beloved former husband, and he said on a voice mail,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Robert Winston
British Scientist
About 3 million IVF babies have been born since Louise Brown's birth in 1978. Bizarrely, when this life-giving treatment was first considered, it was massively controversial. A storm of vitriolic protest came from many religious leaders, journalists, politicians, regrettably even other scientists and doctors.
Quote examples
Annie Lennox
Scottish Musician
Feminism is a word that I identify with. The term has become synonymous with vitriolic man-hating but it needs to come back to a place where both men and women can embrace it. It is particularly important for women in developing countries.
Quote examples
Andrea Leadsom
British Politician
My Twitter feed is polluted with vitriolic personal abuse, much of it gendered. Like almost all female Members of Parliament, I have both seen and experienced inappropriate and sexist behaviour.
Quote examples
Richard Roeper
American Critic
There's a lot of vitriolic ranting out there, but there are literally hundreds of critics on the web who care deeply about film and having something to say about it.
Quote examples
Max Boot
American Author
On both sides of the Atlantic, politics has come to be dominated by vitriolic name-calling and pervasive dishonesty.
Quote examples
Roger Scruton
English Philosopher
A lot of the Qur'an is, frankly, cantankerous, vitriolic, man-hating stuff.
Quote examples
Robert Winston
British Scientist
About 3 million IVF babies have been born since Louise Brown's birth in 1978. Bizarrely, when this life-giving treatment was first considered, it was massively controversial. A storm of vitriolic protest came from many religious leaders, journalists, politicians, regrettably even other scientists and doctors.
Quote examples
Annie Lennox
Scottish Musician
Feminism is a word that I identify with. The term has become synonymous with vitriolic man-hating but it needs to come back to a place where both men and women can embrace it. It is particularly important for women in developing countries.
Quote examples
Andrea Leadsom
British Politician
My Twitter feed is polluted with vitriolic personal abuse, much of it gendered. Like almost all female Members of Parliament, I have both seen and experienced inappropriate and sexist behaviour.
Quote examples
Richard Roeper
American Critic
There's a lot of vitriolic ranting out there, but there are literally hundreds of critics on the web who care deeply about film and having something to say about it.
Quote examples
Max Boot
American Author
On both sides of the Atlantic, politics has come to be dominated by vitriolic name-calling and pervasive dishonesty.
Quote examples
Roger Scruton
English Philosopher
A lot of the Qur'an is, frankly, cantankerous, vitriolic, man-hating stuff.
Example 1 of 6
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