Synonyms for vitriolic
- adjective
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Acerbic — bitterly scathing, caustic
2. Caustic — of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from or resembling vitriol
caustic, bitter, virulent, acrid, corrosive, acid, blistering, sulphurous UK, sulfurous US, mordant, vinegary, erosive, acrimonious, sour, biting, vitriolate dated, acerb dated, vitriolous dated
Definitions
- adj. 1
Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from or resembling vitriol.
- adj. 2
Bitterly scathing, caustic.
Related words
- Word family
- vitriolically vitreous
- Phrases
- vitriolic acid
Example sentences
- invective Her so-called essay was actually an invective against the entire academy.
- acerbic Tom has a way of making acerbic comments that can sting.
- bitter The wronged parties couldn't help but feel bitter.
- caustic Our English teacher likes to make caustic comments.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| vitriolic | rising | |
| invective | steady | |
| acerbic | rising | |
| truculent | steady | |
| vituperative | steady | |
| bitter | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- acid2, sour2
- 5 letters
- acrid2, acerb
- 6 letters
- bitter2, biting2
- 7 letters
- caustic2, acerbic3, mordant2, erosive3
- 8 letters
- virulent3, vinegary
- 9 letters
- corrosive3, invective3, truculent3, sulfurous
- 10 letters
- blistering3, sulphurous, vitriolate, vitriolous
- 11 letters
- acrimonious5
- 12 letters
- vituperative5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (acid2 = 2 syllables).