VITRIOL Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

vitriol

noun

ˈvi-trē-əl

Definition of vitriol

as in bitterness

biting sharpness of feeling or expression a film critic noted for the vitriol and sometimes outright cruelty of his pronouncements

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abuse

harsh insulting language the review was more than just unfavorable—it was loaded with vitriol

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vitriol Turn on any cable news network, and the national political landscape can look like a toxic wasteland, defined by vitriol, outrage, even allegations of treason. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Any member can spew antisemitic vitriol and call for the destruction of the Jewish State. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 TikTok users flooded the video’s comments with both support and vitriol. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026 Athletes traditionally encounter vitriol on social media, but a limited number of fans took it much too far with Herro. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vitriol

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitriol

Noun

This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.

— Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Noun

Before Saylor Hayes’ parents were arrested in connection with the 5-year-old girl’s death this week, the couple had been charged with child abuse and had a history of drug use, court documents show.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
McManus, 50, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

Monsoon rains repeatedly destroy their shelter, and the city offers them little beyond hostility and indifference.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
While Connecticut has responded to these attacks, creating a new student loan program and funding tens of millions in research programming in lieu of federal hostility, the attacks keep coming.

— Derek Slap, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

Each was cast as the antagonist in the game that saw England’s exit a World Cup or European Championship, prompting invective from rival supporters and a siege mentality in Manchester.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
These invectives evidently haven’t spooked Son, who once predicted that AI superintelligence would exist by 2035.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 July 2026

Definition of invective

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Tyreke Smith had a good month, but the severity of his hamstring injury could make Harris’ path cleaner.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.

— Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of severity

Noun

As these things go, the tweet exposes Hotez to public vituperation on social media and possibly physical harm.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
On March 12, Nickels tweeted a notice of a scientific conference in Washington at which Peter Daszak, the head of a research funding organization who has long been the target of vituperation by lab-leak advocates, would appear on a panel.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Definition of vituperation

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vitrines

vitriol

vitriolic

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Style

“Vitriol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitriol. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vitriol

noun

Example Sentences

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