bitter

adjective

ˈbi-tər How to pronounce bitter (audio)
Definition of bitternext
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

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 The fruit’s naturally bitter edge is sharpened by pimento, giving the opening a subtle kick, while patchouli, vetiver, and moss bring a deeper, earthier dimension. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 Because of ice, snow and bitter cold in the days leading up to the game, players from both sides practiced in San Diego, then flew to Kansas City for the game. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 Taika Waititi mixes the bitter and the sweet in his adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 While Brian rides off to war, Ellen reluctantly returns to Castle Leoch, only to find her brothers, Colum and Dougal (Sam Retford), locked in a bitter feud over how to answer the call to arms. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitter
  1. angry
  2. painful
  3. biting
  4. harsh
  5. cold
  6. chilly
  7. mournful
  8. unpleasant
Adjective
  • Much of the work is also focused on building guardrails to protect clients from lawsuits — coming from business partners, local officials, or angry neighbors — in an industry that has an increasingly visible target on its back.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Though nothing about the current situation is ideal, there’s no clear way to hop off without ensuring certain doom at the hands of a large, angry cat.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of angry
Adjective
  • For the film, Hossain said that Badhon called in her real doctor to inject her during a scene where her character undergoes painful platelet-rich plasma injections.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • And meager pay raises have made rising prices more painful for many.
    — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon, as well as harsh chemicals and abrasive tools, to protect the glaze.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The frustration within the Democratic caucus immediately prompted some calls for harsh consequences.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • New England had a 3rd-and-1 close to midfield, but its rush attempt was stopped cold and the Patriots punted.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These days still call for cold drinks and as little clothing as is practicable.
    — Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The Vuori Women’s Sedona Pullover Hoodie is cropped and crafted from super-soft French terry, while the Vuori Women’s Alltheform Fitness Jacket is the perfect moisture-wicking layer for chilly morning runs.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The thick knit has rib detailing throughout the sweater, and the material is breathable to work for chilly days and nights.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • Part of it was the circumstances of his death and the mournful public procession through Brooklyn.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Whitney Houston’s powerhouse version stands alone, but Dolly’s quieter, mournful ode to her collaboration with Porter Wagoner is the artful, formative sketch to a colossal mural.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • There was a lot of work on the medical cases to make the investigations complex and realistic, but there was also an entry point built around a strong, funny, unpleasant character, completely at odds with her return to her roots.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Are those seats empty for a neutral reason or an unpleasant reason?
    — Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpleasant

Browse Nearby Words

bitten the dust
bitter
bitterly
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Cite this Entry

“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitter. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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