as in sorrowfully
with feelings of bitterness or grief
cried bitterly after her grandmother died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bitterly
Mary leaves four children, ages 10 to 17 — and relatives feuding so bitterly that the two families had to go to court to decide where Mary would be laid to rest and two separate memorial services were held.
—
Jill Smolowe, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The strike was fought bitterly on both sides.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Tesla , whose founder and CEO Elon Musk complained bitterly about the impact, has seen his stock soar nearly 35% in that period.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Generational and ideological battle lines were drawn; perhaps most bitterly, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and aligned super political action committees spent $7 million in this district alone.
—David Daley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate find themselves at a familiar impasse, bitterly divided over which approach to take.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The Catholic king, James II, was bitterly opposed by the Protestant aristocrats, who feared Catholic domination and French influence.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The approval comes as the parties are fighting bitterly over the policies of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a funding lapse that is now in its 34th day.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Known for its blazing hot summers and bitterly cold winters, the region is a harsh place.
—David Harris, SPIN, 18 Mar. 2026
Jill Smolowe, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The strike was fought bitterly on both sides.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Tesla , whose founder and CEO Elon Musk complained bitterly about the impact, has seen his stock soar nearly 35% in that period.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Generational and ideological battle lines were drawn; perhaps most bitterly, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and aligned super political action committees spent $7 million in this district alone.
—David Daley, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate find themselves at a familiar impasse, bitterly divided over which approach to take.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
The Catholic king, James II, was bitterly opposed by the Protestant aristocrats, who feared Catholic domination and French influence.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The approval comes as the parties are fighting bitterly over the policies of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a funding lapse that is now in its 34th day.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Known for its blazing hot summers and bitterly cold winters, the region is a harsh place.
—David Harris, SPIN, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterly
Adverb
-
Tarun would tease her, and my mother would look sorrowfully toward Kavitha, as if the two of them now shared some womanly burden.—
Madhuri Vijay,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Of course, that sadly isn't possible.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In a recent appearance on the High Performance YouTube channel, the former Ferrari boss and FIA president described an interaction with the Brazilian legend that could’ve drastically altered the course of Scuderia Ferrari, the sport, and sadly, Senna’s own life.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
For their part, Democratic leaders spoke mournfully of limits, of energy shortages, of national decline, of a crisis of confidence itself.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Based on the Dylan Thomas prose poem of the same name, published in 1952, the film lovingly and mournfully depicts the boyhood Christmastime of an old Welshman, tenderly and a tad mischievously embodied by Elliott.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
That it was released on this year’s second Coachella weekend seems painfully fitting.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Lakers limped painfully into the playoffs Saturday night only to delightfully discover a miracle salve.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterly. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
