bitter end

1 of 2

noun (1)

: the last extremity however painful or calamitous

bitter-ender

ˌbi-tər-ˈen-dər 

noun

bitter end

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the inboard end of a ship's anchoring cable

Examples of bitter end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That bitter end came in extra time at the 2006 World Cup final, when Zidane, who had already said the game would be his last as a player at age 34, was provoked into headbutting opponent Marco Materazzi and got sent off. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance came to a bitter end at AT&T Stadium on Monday afternoon. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps from bitter end entry 2

Noun (2)

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