What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vitriolic
Example
The politician's vitriolic attack on his opponent was widely criticized. [vitriolic: adjective]
Example
She responded to the criticism with vitriolic sarcasm. [vitriolic: adjective]
scathing
Example
The movie received scathing reviews from critics. [scathing: adjective]
Example
His scathing comments about her work were deeply hurtful. [scathing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scathing is more commonly used than vitriolic in everyday language. Scathing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vitriolic is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vitriolic and scathing?
While vitriolic may be considered more formal or literary, both words can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
