Synonyms of bitterness

bitterness

noun

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

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• animosity
• tension
• rancor
• antagonism
• enmity
• feud
• antipathy
• malice
• animus
• friction
• jaundice
• gall
• bad blood
• discord
• vindictiveness
• alienation
• virulence
• vendetta
• loathing
• disaffection
• hate
• vitriol
• estrangement
• conflict
• spite
• blood feud
• score
• unfriendliness
• coolness
• malignity
• venom
• spitefulness
• malignancy
• strain
• inhospitableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amity
• hospitality
• friendliness
• cordiality
• sympathy
• friendship
• civility
• understanding
• amiability
• neighborliness
• empathy
• goodwill
• comity
• amicability

2

as in bite

a harsh or sharp quality

the bitterness of the coffee suggested that it had been reheated

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bite
• edge
• acidity
• harshness
• severity
• acerbity
• acrimony
• spice
• sharpness
• poignancy
• pungency
• acridity
• roughness
• tartness
• poignance
• acuteness
• tang
• punch
• acridness
• asperity
• severeness
• acidness
• keenness
• shrillness
• ginger
• acrimoniousness
• virulence
• vitriol
• maliciousness
• raucousness
• pointedness
• cattiness
• thorniness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

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

• chill
• chilliness
• coldness
• bleakness
• bite
• rawness
• sharpness
• cold
• nip
• crispness
• nippiness
• briskness
• iciness
• frigidity
• freeze
• frostiness
• frigidness
• wintriness
• gelidity
• snap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warmth
• warmness
• heat
• balminess
• hotness
• sultriness

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

• hostility
• severity
• anger
• malice
• bile
• virulence
• corrosiveness
• acidity
• acrimony
• vitriol
• resentment
• acridity
• tartness
• venom
• virulency
• harshness
• acridness
• sourness
• jealousy
• asperity
• spite
• cattiness
• coldness
• animosity
• sternness
• mordancy
• gruffness
• rancor
• vindictiveness
• rudeness
• crossness
• surliness
• incivility
• vehemence
• scorn
• iciness
• acidness
• malevolence
• impoliteness
• relentlessness
• jaundice
• ungraciousness
• nastiness
• gall
• spleen
• pique
• sour grapes
• discourteousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diplomacy
• kindness
• sweetness
• sympathy
• cordiality
• politeness
• courtesy
• tenderness
• civility
• graciousness
• geniality
• warmth
• compassion
• softness
• tactfulness
• smoothness
• urbanity
• suavity
• oiliness
• unctuousness
• suaveness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bitterness

The bitterness this caused would help lead to the rise of radical elements in Germany—Erzberger was murdered in 1921, and Hitler would come to power over the next decade—eventually bringing about the Second World War. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026

Joseph Zada is beyond impressive in a highly demanding role that pushes him to the limit physically and emotionally, perfectly capturing the essence of Haymitch with all the sympathy, charm and bitterness Woody Harrelson brought to the role. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

The salmoriglio, a Calabrian condiment with garlic and herbs similar to chimichurri, features dandelion greens, their bitterness a counter to some of the sweetness. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

The amateur is freed from the pressures of exhibition and sale, but that might just as easily breed bitterness as happiness. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

But few, if any, can match the tradition, scale, and bitterness of the yearly clash between Alabama and Tennessee on the third Saturday in October. — Austin Evans, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026

Written with a reporter’s sharp eye for detail and a remarkable lack of anger or bitterness, this is a compelling story of courage and grace. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

In bitterness and grief, Jay goes scuba diving to recover his father’s body and gets swallowed by a sperm whale. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026