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
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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
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3
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
a bitter wind was stinging the faces of the skiers
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4
as in harsh
difficult to endure
a bitter lesson about money and friendship
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5
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature
a bitter February day for this part of the country
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6
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bitter, rainy day
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7
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
a bitter cry of grief
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8
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
had to face the bitter truth about their marriage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bitter
Senate Democrats and Republicans have been mired in a bitter dispute over a government funding bill, with Democrats refusing to sign on unless changes were made to certain health care policies, including Medicaid and subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act.
—
Keisha Rowe, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
This was a playoff duel on the last night of September involving historically bitter rivals.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In Wednesday’s other games, the Chicago Cubs defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1, while the Boston Red Sox defeated bitter rivals the New York Yankees by the same scoreline.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Sesame oil adds a nutty taste; flaxseed oil is bitter and may pair well with sweeter ingredients in dressings.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Keisha Rowe, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
This was a playoff duel on the last night of September involving historically bitter rivals.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In Wednesday’s other games, the Chicago Cubs defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1, while the Boston Red Sox defeated bitter rivals the New York Yankees by the same scoreline.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Sesame oil adds a nutty taste; flaxseed oil is bitter and may pair well with sweeter ingredients in dressings.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitter
Adjective
-
The angry mob looted the homes of customs agents, harassed those agents’ families, and even burned a small pleasure boat belonging to one unfortunate tax collector on the Common.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The way the story goes, Floyd made Captain Ben Winters angry.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mario Vuskovic’s suspension in 2022 was part of that struggle, another painful situation to overcome.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In place of pesky underwire — which is uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at its worst — the bra uses a sturdy elastic band and adjustable straps to provide comfortable support.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
-
There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Never use bleach to clean the toilet tank as this harsh chemical can damage the tank's interior and lead to faster corrosion.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Except, much like the prison scenes, Kiss of the Spider Woman‘s reality ends up being much harsher than the fantasy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is when the weather in most places is nicest—not too cold, but not yet hot and humid.—
Kristin Braswell,
AFAR Media,
7 Oct. 2025
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But actually, simply cold emailing employers isn’t a bad way to stand out.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Style it over your favorite T-shirts on warmer days, then add a cozy sweater underneath in the evenings when chilly weather arrives.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
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After a chilly summer courtship, Governor Kathy Hochul, a hypercautious moderate, warmly endorsed him.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In this context, even a simple boast about wielding a Beretta sounded mournful.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Lit only by a halo-like light overhead, Wayans stares blankly at the screen, smoking a cigar — and breaking down in mournful tears.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This can prevent mold and mildew growth, which can lead to unpleasant odors and damage to the dishwasher.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
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But too much fiber at once can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal issues, like gas and bloating.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitter. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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