bitter end

1 of 3

noun (1)

: the last extremity however painful or calamitous

bitter-ender

ˌbi-tər-ˈen-dər 

noun

bitter end

2 of 3

noun (2)

: the inboard end of a ship's anchoring cable

bitter-ender

3 of 3

noun (3)

bit·​ter-end·​er ˌbi-tər-ˈen-dər 

plural -s

: one who inflexibly rejects opportune compromising or yielding on any part of an effort or policy : extremist, diehard

Examples of bitter end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Notably, progressive Katie Porter and moderate San José Mayor Matt Mahan stuck in until the bitter end. — Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Notably, progressive Katie Porter and moderate San José Mayor Matt Mahan stuck in until the bitter end. — Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

So the government, some of these Amish will not, right to the bitter end, accept any government money. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 6 June 2026

Trump has gone back and forth over whether the war will end, at times expressing optimism and at other times saying Russia and Ukraine should be left to fight it out to the bitter end. — Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps from bitter end entry 2

Noun (2) and Noun (3)

bitter (a turn of cable around the bitts)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1827, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bitter end

• apprehend
• comprehend
• condescend
• dividend
• recommend
• resuspend
• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend