vitriolic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite harsh or corrosive in tone
    blistering; acerbic; acrid; virulent; sulphurous; acerb; sulfurous; caustic; acid; bitter.
    • an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
    • a barrage of acid comments
    • her acrid remarks make her many enemies
    • bitter words
    • blistering criticism
    • caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
    • a sulfurous denunciation
    • a vitriolic critique
  2. adjective satellite of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
    erosive; corrosive; mordant; caustic.

WordNet

Vit`ri*ol"ic adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. vitriolique.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from, or resembling, vitriol; vitriolous; as, a vitriolic taste. Cf. Vitriol.

Webster 1913