filled with bitter criticism or malice. \\"vitriolic attacks on the politicians\\". ***synonyms: acrimonious, rancorous, bitter, caustic, mordant, acerbic, astringent, acid, acrid, trenchant, virulent, spiteful, crabbed, savage, venomous, poisonous, malicious, malignant, malign, pernicious, splenetic; nasty, mean, cruel, unkind, harsh, ill-natured, evil-intentioned, vindictive, scathing, searing, biting, barbed, wounding, stinging, tart, sharp, rapier-like, razor-edged, cutting, withering, sarcastic, sardonic, irascible; informal bitchy, catty, slashing; literary malefic, maleficent; rare acidulous, mordacious, squint-eyed. harsh or corrosive in tone While the teacher was more moderate in her criticism of the other student\\'s papers, she was vitriolic toward Peter\\'s paper, casting every flaw in the harshest light. Definition of Vitriolic harsh or corrosive in tone Examples of Vitriolic in a sentence What was supposed to be a civil debate turned into a debate reaching vitriolic levels, ending with both participants screaming obscenities. Me giving her a vitriolic critique might sting, but harsh is my middle name. Your vitriolic comments about my dress hurt my feelings! World War II was one of the most vitriolic wars of all time, killing over 50 million worldwide. You attitude is vitriolic as rusty metal! Rasheem was offended by the racist comedy show, calling it a vitriolic attack against African Americans. The vitriolic email saddened my mother for weeks. My grandmother thinks metal is the most vitriolic music to ever exist, saying that it sounds purely evil. The couple exchanged vitriolic words before the fight broke out. Mr. Buckwald stormed into the room, vitriolic as ever, demanding all employees to report upfront immediately.