Language & Communicationfreq: 1Discovered via Dusty Flow
Vitriolic
/ˌvɪtriˈɒlɪk/adjective
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Vitriolic refers to speech, writing, or behavior that is harshly critical and full of bitter sarcasm, often intended to cause emotional harm. In today's polarized world, it's frequently used to describe online trolls or fiery political debates, where the corrosive edge mirrors the chemical properties of the acid it's named after.
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Voltaire, the 18th-century French philosopher, popularized 'vitriolic' in his writings, using it over 50 times in his letters to describe cutting satire, which helped cement its place in literary criticism and influenced modern discourse on free speech.
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