1
as in angry
having or showing deep-seated resentment
a bitter attitude about always having to work on Saturday she's still bitter about how her family treated her so unfairly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
discovering that he had been cut from the crew team was a bitter disappointment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
a bitter wind was stinging the faces of the skiers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in harsh
difficult to endure
a bitter lesson about money and friendship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature
a bitter February day for this part of the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bitter, rainy day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
a bitter cry of grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
had to face the bitter truth about their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bitter
All in all, a good meal that leaves no bitter aftertaste.
—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The vermouth’s herbal notes blend with the bitter tonic for a refreshing way to whet the palate before a meal.
—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The seat went to the left-wing Greens, prompting bitter recriminations that Burnham alone could have held it for Labour.
—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
On a March 2021 episode of The Talk, hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood got into a bitter dispute over Osbourne's defense of English broadcaster Piers Morgan, who had sparked controversy with his vocal criticism of Meghan Markle.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The vermouth’s herbal notes blend with the bitter tonic for a refreshing way to whet the palate before a meal.
—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The seat went to the left-wing Greens, prompting bitter recriminations that Burnham alone could have held it for Labour.
—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
On a March 2021 episode of The Talk, hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood got into a bitter dispute over Osbourne's defense of English broadcaster Piers Morgan, who had sparked controversy with his vocal criticism of Meghan Markle.
—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitter
Adjective
-
Last week, Dipke traveled to several Indian cities, joining thousands of angry demonstrators to demand the education minister’s removal.
-
Played by House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock, Kara’s path crosses that of an angry, sword-wielding teenager, Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), who seeks revenge for her slain family.
Adjective
-
However, Ukraine’s successes have highlighted its ability to inflict painful damage on Russia and change the course of the conflict while Moscow’s advances recently have ground to a near halt.
-
California’s already-high electricity rates have increased far faster than inflation, threaten progress on climate change and pose painful affordability burdens on residents and businesses, the Berkeley report said.
Adjective
-
So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
-
Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.
Adjective
-
Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
-
Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
-
To prevent that, some operators maintain low oil flow rates, akin to dripping a faucet in freezing cold weather to avoid frozen pipes.
-
Aging And The Long Game Of Leadership The conversation around aging often centers on biohackers seeking to lower their biological age through cold plunges, red light therapy, and peptides.
Adjective
-
Being able to switch on the heat when things got chilly in the middle of the night was one of our favorite features on the ID.
-
Various paths to the sea allow guests to move between the warmth of the saunas and paljus, to the chilly waters of the Baltic Sea.
Adjective
-
The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
-
The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Adjective
-
Fresh grass clippings are great for masking naturally unpleasant odors in the garden by simply using them to cover the offensive materials.
-
This could be an indication that the P-trap under the sink has dried out, which means water no longer blocks unpleasant smells from rising.
Cite this Entry
“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitter. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
