vitriol
Caustic spoken attacks
Vitriol originally named sulfuric acid and related corrosive substances.
The figurative sense now dominates: bitter, caustic criticism or hostility.
Vitriol suggests language that burns: The comment section was full of vitriol.
The adjective vitriolic describes speech or writing marked by this caustic quality: a vitriolic attack on her opponent.
Intense hostile aversion
- spitePetty malicious intent
- maliceIntent to cause harm
- venomInjected animal poison
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
resentment · bitterness · rancor · acrimony · bile · enmity · grudge · contempt
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- acerbicSharp and biting
mordant · trenchant · withering · searing · stinging · venomous · toxic · poisonous
Of a strong acid
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
caustic · reactive · concentrated · dilution · laboratory · industrial · etching · battery
hatred
Intense hostile aversion
animosity · resentment · bitterness · rancor · acrimony · bile · enmity · grudge · contempt · scorn
caustic
Chemically burning; bitterly mocking
acerbic · mordant · trenchant · withering · searing · stinging · venomous · toxic · poisonous · corrosive
sulfuric
Of a strong acid
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
corrosive · caustic · reactive · concentrated · dilution · laboratory · industrial · etching · battery · electrolyte
tirade
Extended angry speech
rant · polemic · denunciation · excoriation · broadside · barrage · assault · onslaught · salvo · fusillade
- hatredhate, hateful, abhor, abhorrence, detest
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
- bitternessbitterness, resentment, rancor, acrimony, grudge
- invectiveabuse, insult, insults, slur, vilification
- malicemalice, ill will, spite, malevolence, malignity
- Old Sciencephlogiston, aether, ether, caloric, miasma
vitriolkindness
Considerate, caring disposition
warmth · tenderness · compassion · sweetness · gentleness
vitriolcivility
Formal politeness in conduct
politeness · courtesy · graciousness · cordiality · diplomacy
vitriolpraise
Expression of approval
acclaim · commendation · applause · flattery · congratulations