1
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will
he still harbored an implacable bitterness against the company that had fired him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bite
a harsh or sharp quality
the bitterness of the coffee suggested that it had been reheated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a bitterness in the air, so let's build a fire in the fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
complained with great bitterness about the ill treatment he had always received
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bitterness
Perhaps the bitterness refers to the alimony check?
—
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
The Phillies have tasted enough bitterness in previous Octobers to know that.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Delicious and full of flavor, the roast contains brown sugar that balances out the bitterness of the beer, while vinegar adds a hint of brightness.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
Additions like maple and honey round out the bitterness and tartness, creating balanced cocktails with depth and finesse.
—Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Two months later, time enough to grow an impressive beard, Patrick arrives in New York, understandably full of anger and bitterness.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Blessed with tender skins and jammy interiors, fresh figs can offset the tang of tomatoes and bitterness of salad greens.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025
Campbell calls it a demotion, though not with any bitterness or resentment.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
The Phillies have tasted enough bitterness in previous Octobers to know that.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Delicious and full of flavor, the roast contains brown sugar that balances out the bitterness of the beer, while vinegar adds a hint of brightness.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
Additions like maple and honey round out the bitterness and tartness, creating balanced cocktails with depth and finesse.
—Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Two months later, time enough to grow an impressive beard, Patrick arrives in New York, understandably full of anger and bitterness.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Blessed with tender skins and jammy interiors, fresh figs can offset the tang of tomatoes and bitterness of salad greens.
—Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025
Campbell calls it a demotion, though not with any bitterness or resentment.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
The monthlong celebration comes at a crucial time, as transgender youths continue to face mounting legislative attacks and social hostility nationwide.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Police officers eventually began to line tee boxes as the weekend progressed, though that also did not assuage the hostility.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, the two main budget bills easily passed both chambers and were sent to the governor before the Senate took up the marijuana tax legislation, taking the bite out of Hall's threat.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus, health officials recommend using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And in the West, the chill will be accompanied by several inches of snow in the mountains, which will make for some artistic fall foliage photos for leaf-peepers who venture out there.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Chanasya Faux-Fur Throw Blanket Get warm and cozy with this chunky throw blanket that will protect you from the chills and drafts that creep into your home.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Charlie and Pim are loyal employees of Smiling Friends, a mysterious business that exists solely to assist people with their problems, regardless of their severity.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Prosecutors have recommended an 11-year sentence, citing Combs’s lack of remorse and the severity of harm inflicted.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That’s a long grudge that Ben holds.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
There’s the Herschel Walker trade, the Charles Haley trade, and the long grudge between Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Verbatim Reginald Dwayne Betts A 2012 essay from the American Poetry Review on poetry and the architecture of anger.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Morocco Anti-government protests fueled by anger over Morocco pouring money into preparations for the 2030 World Cup instead of public services have raged in the country for nearly a week.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Raised under Augusta’s religious terror and hatred for women, Ed tries to hide his penchant for ladies’ underwear and masturbation to no avail.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Not as a land of fear, not as a divisiveness, not of government censorship, not of hatred.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share