vitriolic C2 Topic:Register & Style US /ˌvɪt.riˈɑ.lɪk/ UK /vɪtɹɪˈɒlɪk/ See IPA manual Freq #97550 Meanings 1 adj of a substance, an especially strong acid The vitriolic liquid corroded through the metal. 2 adj harsh or corrosive in tone The newspaper's vitriolic editorials led to its downfall. 3 adj Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from or resembling vitriol. A vitriolic taste. 4 adj Bitterly scathing, caustic. Vitriolic criticism. Thesaurus Synonyms 3 adj · of or pertaining to... causticvitriolous 4 adj · bitterly scathing, caustic. acerbicvituperative Word family Related forms vitreous Etymology From vitriol + -ic; or from French vitriolique (cognate with Italian vetriolico, Portuguese vitriolico, Spanish vitriólico). Topics Register & Style External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # vitriolic **Type:** Word **Level:** C2 **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /ˌvɪt.riˈɑ.lɪk/ **IPA (UK):** /vɪtɹɪˈɒlɪk/ **Frequency rank:** 97550 ## Meanings 1. of a substance, an especially strong acid 2. harsh or corrosive in tone 3. Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from or resembling vitriol. 4. Bitterly scathing, caustic. ## Examples - The vitriolic liquid corroded through the metal. - The newspaper's vitriolic editorials led to its downfall. - A vitriolic taste. - Vitriolic criticism. ## Synonyms - caustic - vitriolous - acerbic - vituperative ## Related Forms - vitreous ## Etymology From vitriol + -ic; or from French vitriolique (cognate with Italian vetriolico, Portuguese vitriolico, Spanish vitriólico). ## Topics - Register & Style markdown