bitter

¹bit·ter

adj \ˈbi-tər\

Definition of BITTER

1

a : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops — compare salt, sour, sweet b : distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling <a bitter sense of shame>

2

: marked by intensity or severity: a : accompanied by severe pain or suffering <a bitter death> b : being relentlessly determined : vehement <a bitter partisan> c : exhibiting intense animosity <bitter enemies> d (1) : harshly reproachful <bitter complaints> (2) : marked by cynicism and rancor <bitter contempt> e : intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness <a bitter wind>

3

: expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret <bitter tears>

— bit·ter·ish \ˈbi-tə-rish\ adjective

— bit·ter·ly adverb

— bit·ter·ness noun

Examples of BITTER

1. Cocoa beans have a bitter flavor.
2. The medicine had a bitter aftertaste.
3. We were struck by the bitter irony of the situation.
4. His betrayal had made her bitter.
5. She was still bitter toward her ex-husband.
6. He's the bitterest man I know.

Origin of BITTER

Middle English, from Old English biter; akin to Old High German bittar bitter, Old English bītan to bite — more at bite

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BITTER

Synonyms: acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore

Antonyms: unbitter

Related Words: disaffected, discontented, disgruntled, malcontent; contemptuous, cynical, disdainful, misanthropic, scornful; angry, cruel, harsh, irritated, mad, rough, savage, vehement, vicious, virulent, vitriolic; acid, caustic, cutting, mordant, sarcastic, trenchant; knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out)

Near Antonyms: caring, forgiving, gentle, kind, kindhearted, loving, sweet, sympathetic, tender, warm, warmhearted

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with BITTER

chitter, critter, fitter, flitter, fritter, glitter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, quitter, quittor, sitter, skitter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter