bitter

adjective bit·ter \ ˈbi-tər \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of bitter

1 a :being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops

The pill leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

a bitter beer

bitter dark chocolate

— 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

was still bitter about not being chosen

e :intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness

a bitter wind

3 :caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret

bitter tears

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bitterish

play \ˈbi-tə-rish\ adjective

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bitterly

adverb

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bitterness

noun

See bitter defined for English-language learners

See bitter defined for kids

Examples of bitter in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of bitter from the Web

Some hard feelings linger on the part of New York and New Jersey Republicans, who had to battle to win help for their Democratic-leaning states in the bitter aftermath of the 2012 election.

— andrew taylor, chicagotribune.com, "Trump promises federal aid to storm-ravaged Texas," 28 Aug. 2017
Josh Mandel, defender of open records The trial couldn't have come at a worse time for Mandel, who was fighting for re-election as Ohio treasurer after his earlier bitter and bruising Senate loss to Democrat Sherrod Brown.

— chrissie thompson, Cincinnati.com, "The constant re-imagining of Josh Mandel," 27 Aug. 2017
Inside the welcome tent, Simon Theakston, a local beer company scion, poured Mr. Staley a pint of bitter as a plate of hard cheese and Yorkshire pie was offered.

— kate kelly, New York Times, "James Staley’s Series of Unfortunate Events," 26 Aug. 2017
Dictatorships’ Specter The arrests brought back bitter memories of Latin American nations ruled for decades by repressive governments of the left and right.

— fabiola zerpa, Bloomberg.com, "Venezuelan Arrests Show Maduro Moving Fast to Snatch Power," 1 Aug. 2017
As this special report will argue, though, both Pakistan and India should more openly acknowledge the costs, to themselves and to the wider region, of their seven decades of bitter separation.

— The Economist, "Hissing cousinsWhy India and Pakistan hate each other," 22 July 2017
Steve performed Kermit as a bitter, angry, depressed, victim.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Battle Between Jim Henson’s Kids and Ex-Kermit Steve Whitmire Gets Uglier," 19 July 2017
GOP leaders must have read his tweet demanding pure repeal with bitter humor.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "It's (Still) Never Trump's Fault," 18 July 2017
Ophelia’s bar was a mock giant birdcage, and my drink—the Jade Cat, a cocktail of Japanese whiskey and bitter green tea liqueur—arrived in a miniature birdcage.

— klara glowczewska, Town & Country, "Why Now Is the Time to Visit China," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bitter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bitter

Middle English, going back to Old English biter, going back to Germanic *bitra- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German bittar "acrid-tasting," Old Norse bitr "biting, sharp") and *baitra- (whence Gothic baitrs "sharp-tasting"), derivatives from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at ¹bite

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

bitter Synonyms

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

bitter

noun

Definition of bitter

1 :bitter (see ¹bitter) quality

2 a bitters plural :a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic (see ¹tonic 1b)

b British :a very dry (see ¹dry 7b) heavily hopped ale

See bitter defined for English-language learners

Examples of bitter in a Sentence

The cocktail recipe called for a dash of bitters.
a good selection of bitters

Recent Examples of bitter from the Web

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy (1439 Griswold St.) where owner Larry Mongo can be found jovially conversing with patrons over drinks like the Detroit Brown – a seriously delicious mix of Crown Royal, Vernors Ginger Ale and a splash of bitters.

— bedrock-detroit, Detroit Free Press, "Plan now for the Detroit Free Press Food & Wine Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
The more ingredients in a cocktail (i.e. simple syrup, triple sec, house made bitters etc.), the more calories.

— Philly.com, "How to lose weight without giving up alcohol," 16 Aug. 2017
Wet it down with 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a short splash of club soda.

— esquire editors, Esquire, "How to Make an Old Fashioned," 14 Aug. 2017
The Steve Trevor, is made with rye whiskey, amaretto and a dash a bitters poured over ice.

— laurie delk, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Even superheroes need to kick back with a cocktail," 14 July 2017
The Debutant ($10) was a refreshing and appropriately light blend of gin and Cointreau with blueberry syrup and rhubarb bitters.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Wiltshire At The Speed should not be missed | Review," 21 June 2017
Cocktails include classics like the Painkiller and Piña Colada, and new house drinks such as the house grog (banana liqueur, Goslings Gold, Cruzan 9 spice, lime, grapefruit, honey syrup and Bittercube Mahalo bitters).

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tiki spot the Love Shack opening in Walker's Point," 20 June 2017
Free of glycerin, chemicals, and dyes, the bitters are finely crafted and ready to elevate cocktails.

— caroline rogers, Southern Living, "Celebrate the South's Innovators at the Southern Food & Drink Entrepreneurs Awards," 5 June 2017
Add the bourbon or rum, tea and bitters, stirring to combine.

— m. carrie allan, sacbee.com, "Starting pitcher, relief pitchers: It's a rotation of summer punch," 29 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of bitter

derivative of ¹bitter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

bitter

verb

Definition of bitter

transitive verb

:to make bitter (see ¹bitter)

bittered ale

Recent Examples of bitter from the Web

Though all of these new drinks share a yin-yang bittersweet personality, flavors can vary surprisingly, depending on alcohol levels, the array of botanicals in the mix and the power of the bittering agents.

— robert simonson, New York Times, "Red, Wet and Bitter … but Not Campari or Aperol," 30 June 2017
The version at Lake Nona’s Canvas Restaurant & Market adds a visually striking twist in a blood-red bittered ice sphere.

— tod caviness, Orlando Signature, "French Quarter - Orlando Signature's June Drink of the Month," 13 June 2017
Used as a bittering agent and preservative, hops are now bred and cultivated to contribute a myriad of flavors at various stages of the brewing process.

— spike carter, Bloomberg.com, "Beer Brewed With Flowers? It’s Totally Crushable, Bro," 9 June 2017
His report: Each of the IPAs are 7 percent ABV with about 55 bittering units.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pink Boots Society celebrates 10 years with conference and beer festival in San Diego," 1 June 2017
Bitters are a simple combination of high-proof, neutral grain alcohol infused with bittering roots or herbs, and can be pepped up with aromatic and flavored plants or spices.

— meghan nesmith, Bon Appetit, "Want a Better Cocktail? Find a Botanist," 16 May 2017
The Mandarina Bavaria hops are assertive — Orange County boasts 55 bittering units, putting it in the mid-range for an IPA — and keep the juicy oranges in balance.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "¡Bravo! Tour Tijuana's booming cerveza scene in three easy stops," 4 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of bitter

Middle English bittrin, going back to Old English biterian, derivative of biter ¹bitter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

bitter

adverb

Definition of bitter

:to an intense or severe degree :to a bitter (see ¹bitter) degree

It's bitter cold.

Origin and Etymology of bitter

Middle English bitter, bittere, going back to Old English bitere, derivative of biter ¹bitter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

BITTER Defined for English Language Learners

bitter

adjective

Definition of bitter for English Language Learners

: having a strong and often unpleasant flavor that is the opposite of sweet
: causing painful emotions : felt or experienced in a strong and unpleasant way
: angry and unhappy because of unfair treatment

bitter

noun

Definition of bitter for English Language Learners

bit*ters : a bitter alcoholic liquid that is used especially in mixed drinks
: a type of beer that has a slightly bitter flavor

BITTER Defined for Kids

bitter

adjective bit·ter \ ˈbi-tər \

Definition of bitter for Students

bitterer; bitterest

1 :sharp, biting, and unpleasant to the taste

2 :unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment

She was bitter toward her spoiled sister.

3 :hard to put up with

a bitter disappointment

4 :caused by anger, distress, or sorrow

bitter tears

5 :very harsh or sharp :biting

a bitter wind

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bitterly

adverb

wept bitterly

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bitterness

noun

Medical Dictionary

bitter

adjective bit·ter \ ˈbit-ər \

medical Definition of bitter

: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 2, sour, sweet

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