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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Fresh vegetables The vegetables imported to Milwaukee's Burmese shops from Southeast Asia include water spinach, Thai chili leaves, pennywort, okra and bitter melon.
—
Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The event in question is a period of five days before the 2002 soccer World Cup in South Korea and Japan, when the Irish national team witnessed a bitter — and very public — falling out between captain Keane and manager Mick McCarthy (played by Steve Coogan).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
The French club have also qualified for the UEFA Conference League, with their six league-phase fixtures including a November home match against Brighton’s bitter rivals Crystal Palace.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Sweet corn is lightly sizzled in ghee and tossed with juicy tomatoes, peppery dandelion greens, and smoky blue cheese for a salad that’s equal parts sweet, bitter, and tangy.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The event in question is a period of five days before the 2002 soccer World Cup in South Korea and Japan, when the Irish national team witnessed a bitter — and very public — falling out between captain Keane and manager Mick McCarthy (played by Steve Coogan).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
The French club have also qualified for the UEFA Conference League, with their six league-phase fixtures including a November home match against Brighton’s bitter rivals Crystal Palace.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Sweet corn is lightly sizzled in ghee and tossed with juicy tomatoes, peppery dandelion greens, and smoky blue cheese for a salad that’s equal parts sweet, bitter, and tangy.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitter
Adjective
-
One unbearable sequence has Chiang coming back angry in the middle of the day and suddenly raping Chuan in their bedroom.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In late July, centrist independent US Senator Angus King released a startlingly angry statement.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Downplaying the obvious and searingly painful crime plaguing Chicago neighborhoods is unacceptable and dangerous.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The commercial realities of hosting a network television show seem to preclude the biting and incisive commentary, and boundary-pushing humor, for which audiences have turned to YouTube and podcasts.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The once-beloved pastels will become harsh.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The pilgrimage, listed on the official calendar of jubilee events, comes as gay Catholics look to Pope Leo XIV to continue down the bold path of his predecessor to welcome into the church a group that has in the past faced alienation and sometimes harsh treatment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Owalas are made with stainless steel, so water stays cold for hours, and the 16-ounce size is ideal for the younger kid crowd.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Wash it all down with a cold beer.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The midweight fabric is perfect for layering on chillier fall days, while the snap closure leaves room for easy venting.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This jacket is constructed with a mix of polyester and spandex, which is lightweight enough for warmer fall days but still provides enough warmth when temperatures are on the chilly side.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Similarly, the discreetly mournful compositions of Giorgio Matteo and Aki Oliviero’s score hover politely on the periphery of the (in)action, careful not to intrude.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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His narration is a constant pleasure — mournful, wry, and suffused with a world-weary poetry.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The first season of The Office was particularly unpleasant at times, with some of Michael’s most appalling behavior, and The Paper avoids this almost entirely.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
If the egg smells unpleasant or has discoloration, discard the egg.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitter. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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