vitriol

IPA/ˈvɪtriəl/
KK[vˈɪtriəl]IPA/ˈvɪtriəl/

vitriol — noun

1. Extremely cruel and angry comments or words that someone says with the clear pur

1.名詞C1
釋義

Extremely cruel and angry comments or words that someone says with the clear purpose of hurting or destroying another person's character or reputation.

例句

Renata could not hide the vitriol in her voice when she criticised the city council's new policy.

vitriol in [one's] voice — spoken tone showing anger

The senator's speech was filled with such vitriol that several audience members walked out in protest.

filled with vitriol — describes writing or speech

同義詞
  • venom

    Equally intense but suggests a sly, poisonous quality rather than open anger.

  • acrimony

    Suggests sharp, bitter speech but is less violent and destructive than vitriol.

  • rancour

    Describes long-lasting bitter feelings rather than the expression itself; vitriol is the active verbal attack.

  • malice

    Focuses on the intention to harm rather than the actual harsh language used.

反義詞
  • praise

    Expresses approval instead of the harsh attack that vitriol describes.

  • kindness

    Represents gentle, generous treatment — the opposite of deliberately hurtful words.

文法句型

vitriol + towards/against + person

用法筆記

Always uncountable — you cannot say 'a vitriol' or 'vitriols.' The adjective form is vitriolic (e.g., 'a vitriolic attack'). Common in formal, journalistic, and literary contexts; less frequent in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The politician made a vitriol speech.
✅The politician made a vitriolic speech.
💡'Vitriol' is a noun; use the adjective 'vitriolic' before a noun.
❌He expressed vitriol against the proposal.
✅He directed vitriol at the proposal.
💡The natural pattern is 'direct/aim vitriol at,' not 'against.'

2. A very strong, colourless chemical liquid (sulfuric acid) that can burn or destr

2.名詞C1
釋義

A very strong, colourless chemical liquid (sulfuric acid) that can burn or destroy other materials, formerly called 'oil of vitriol' by alchemists and early chemists.

例句

In the eighteenth century, chemists produced oil of vitriol by heating sulfur together with saltpeter in glass containers.

historical context: 'oil of vitriol' was the original name

The factory stored its vitriol in thick glass bottles because the acid would eat through ordinary metal drums.

vitriol in a modern industrial context

同義詞
  • sulfuric acid

    The modern standard name for the same substance; 'vitriol' is the older term.

  • oil of vitriol

    The original historical name; they refer to exactly the same chemical.

用法筆記

This sense is largely historical or technical. In modern chemistry the substance is called 'sulfuric acid' (or 'sulphuric acid' in British English). The term 'vitriol' for the chemical survives mainly in historical texts and industry jargon.

常見錯誤

❌The chemist measured three vitriols into the beaker.
✅The chemist measured three samples of vitriol into the beaker.
💡Vitriol is uncountable and cannot take a plural form.
❌Vitriol spilled on the floor and caused a small fire.
✅Vitriol spilled on the floor and began to corrode the tiles.
💡Vitriol is an acid, not a flammable liquid; it causes corrosion, not fire.