a. [ Cf. F. vitriolique. ] 1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from, or resembling, vitriol; vitriolous; as, a vitriolic taste. Cf. Vitriol. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Biting, bitter or caustic; having or expressing strong and unpleasantly negative feelings; -- of speech or feelings; the vitriolic denunciations of opponents by partisan columnists. [ PJC ]
(adj) harsh or corrosive in tone, Syn. vitriolic, sulfurous, acid, bitter, blistering, acerbic, virulent, caustic, acrid, sulphurous, Example:an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose; a barrage of acid comments; her acrid remarks make her many enemies; bitter words; blistering criticism; caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics; a sulfurous denunciation; a vitriolic critique