vitriol

[ vi-tree-uhl ]

noun

1. 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.
2. oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
3. something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

verb (used with object)

, vit·ri·oled, vit·ri·ol·ing or (especially British) vit·ri·olled, vit·ri·ol·ling.

1. to treat with or as with vitriol, especially sulfuric acid.

vitriol

/ ˈvɪtrɪˌɒl /

noun

1. another name for sulphuric acid
2. any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )
3. speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness

verb

1. to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
2. to treat with vitriol

vitriol

/ vĭt′rē-ōl′,-əl /

1. A former name for sulfuric acid.
2. Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).
3. See also blue vitriol

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

C14: from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitriolus glassy, from Latin vitrum glass, referring to the glossy appearance of the sulphates

Example Sentences

In spring of last year, two trans athletes withdrew from state high school track-and-field finals after facing a torrent of online and in-person vitriol for their participation in women’s track events.

From Los Angeles Times

But Tiffany's closeness with the band, particularly Jonathan, resulted in female fans spewing vitriol at her before her performances on headlining tour.

From Salon

The decision was also posted on X itself, where some users reacted with vitriol, with those who paid for prominent replies accusing the Guardian of "woke propaganda" and "virtue signalling".

From BBC

Harris was right to focus on the word "exhausting" when she described Trump's firehose of vitriol.

From Salon

Aside from increased competition, media companies are seeing advertisers become more skittish about running their ads in news programming, as they are turned off by the vitriol and divisiveness in the current polarized political landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nastiness
• sarcasm
• venom