Meanings
- uncountableThe quality of being vitriolic; a tendency to be bitter and ill-natured.
He was certainly moved by the vitriolism of independence movements in the Indian sub-continent as he often talked passionately about Nehru.
2002, Anthony S. K. Shome, Malay Political Leadership, Taylor & Francis, →ISBN1 more example
Even Mr. Adams restrained largely his irritability of temper and vitriolism of pen; but this patient submission was manifestly nearing an end.
1888, The Magazine of American History, volume 19, A.S. Barnes & Company, page 296 - rareuncountableSynonym of vitriolage (“The act of vitriolizing someone; the act of committing an acid attack”).
Synonyms: vitriolage
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of vitriolage (“The act of vitriolizing someone; the act of committing an acid attack”).
Origin
From vitriol (“sulfuric acid”) + -ism.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
vitriolism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vitriolism
“vitriolism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vitriolism. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “vitriolism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vitriolism.
Source: vitriolism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.