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
Long before Savolainen or Kjellbin began to prepare for this year’s Winter Olympics, there was another couple in women’s ice hockey that battled it out on opposing sides of a bitter rivalry.
—
Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
New research from Japan suggests that flavanols — plant compounds found in these foods — may stimulate the brain not by being absorbed into the bloodstream, but by triggering a sensory response tied to their bitter taste.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The move follows a bitter feud last spring between DeSantis and House Republicans over sweeping immigration legislation, when House leaders accused the governor’s office of advancing costly enforcement measures without sufficient consultation or budget transparency.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
In the bitter New Hampshire night, my skull ached with tight, tectonic pressure.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
New research from Japan suggests that flavanols — plant compounds found in these foods — may stimulate the brain not by being absorbed into the bloodstream, but by triggering a sensory response tied to their bitter taste.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The move follows a bitter feud last spring between DeSantis and House Republicans over sweeping immigration legislation, when House leaders accused the governor’s office of advancing costly enforcement measures without sufficient consultation or budget transparency.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
In the bitter New Hampshire night, my skull ached with tight, tectonic pressure.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bitter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitter
Adjective
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Colt Gray sent grandmother concerning texts In her testimony, Polhamus reviewed several angry, vulgar text messages from Colt Gray that showed his spiraling mental health and penchant for outbursts.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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When Fiyero chooses to leave with Elphaba, Glinda’s left heartbroken and angry.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Four years later, at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Gabrielle Daleman could only bury her face in her hands after the Canadian’s disappointing free skate, her painful reaction beamed to a global audience.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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As painful as this pain deep in the heart is, the healing has already begun with all the outpouring of love, prayers, and support.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Bathroom Fixtures There are no harsh or abrasive chemicals involved in steam cleaning bathroom fixtures.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Gophers and Ducks were both ice cold in the first half, with the U holding an unsightly 22-13 lead.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Antarctic Ocean is heavily layered, or stratified, to a depth of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) because of conflicting properties including colder, denser water from below not readily mixing with fresh water running off melting ice from above.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Blanket There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a cozy blanket during chilly weather.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
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Joonhee Park’s grayscale set design, complemented by Ben Carne’s fluorescent lighting, particularly suits Marlene’s harsh corporate world, but the chilly look also nods to Thatcherite austerity throughout the play.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Such memories flowed freely this week on social media and in mournful first-person essays.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When Luna conjoins intense Pluto, our feelings about such shifts might burst out in unpleasant ways!—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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Though a person infected with the virus may experience unpleasant symptoms, others may be asymptomatic and show no symptoms at all.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitter. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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