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
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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
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Recent Examples of bitterness
Of the many types of basil, the classic Italian 'Treviso' variety stands out for resisting bitterness, staying tender longer, and being slow to flower even as summer heats up.
—
Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Red flags included bitterness or any metallic notes the beans may have picked up during processing.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Rivera eked out a razor-thin victory over Camilo in that race, which was marked by bitterness, with the two candidates accusing each other of being carpetbaggers who didn’t actually reside in his Senate district spanning north Bronx neighborhoods like Fordham, Belmont and Riverdale.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But the ones that do get rewarded with a deep, meditative little cocktail, friendlier than a Toronto but still prickly with bitterness and stout with proof, a cocktail worth hunkering down with on these dark and interminable nights of January.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Reheating of any kind, stovetop or microwave, will contribute bitterness.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Chop the base and the tops off each celery stalk to prevent bitterness.
—Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2025
Pickled Pickling beets in a salty brine will counteract their bitterness and create a crunchy accompaniment for sandwiches and salads.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
The decadent dessert balances the sweet, nutty and creamy richness of Nutella with the bitterness of espresso.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Red flags included bitterness or any metallic notes the beans may have picked up during processing.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Jan. 2026
Rivera eked out a razor-thin victory over Camilo in that race, which was marked by bitterness, with the two candidates accusing each other of being carpetbaggers who didn’t actually reside in his Senate district spanning north Bronx neighborhoods like Fordham, Belmont and Riverdale.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But the ones that do get rewarded with a deep, meditative little cocktail, friendlier than a Toronto but still prickly with bitterness and stout with proof, a cocktail worth hunkering down with on these dark and interminable nights of January.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Reheating of any kind, stovetop or microwave, will contribute bitterness.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Chop the base and the tops off each celery stalk to prevent bitterness.
—Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2025
Pickled Pickling beets in a salty brine will counteract their bitterness and create a crunchy accompaniment for sandwiches and salads.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
The decadent dessert balances the sweet, nutty and creamy richness of Nutella with the bitterness of espresso.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
After years of fighting for its survival in the face of hacks and growing regulatory hostility, crypto’s fortunes abruptly change.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Jewish and civil rights groups blasted the move as weakening safeguards, fueling criticism that Mamdani’s early agenda signals hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From comfort food classics to more elevated plates, several bites stood out at a preview event.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Guests will naturally gravitate towards these pairings, ensuring the perfect bite.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The widespread cold blast will deliver the season’s most significant chill so far, with many areas expecting their first hard freeze and morning lows dipping well below average, according to the Climate Prediction Center.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Cozy fleece blankets keep the chill at bay, while a steaming cup of tea rounds out the meal.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Those who break the rules are hit with fines depending on the severity of the infraction.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
So consider the size and severity of scratches and markings, as well as the item's price.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Still, the Bulldogs’ defensive back doesn’t harbor any grudges toward Sanders, nor CU.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The strength of the Republican appeal to isolationism is essentially one of political revenge, a feeling that now is the time to settle old scores and old grudges.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Cake mix, lemon pie filling, and butter come together in the oven to create crisp edges and a gooey, citrusy center, while a little cream cheese in the mix rounds out the lemon’s brightness.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Did the man go too far, or was his anger justified?—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As Blacc hinted at, there is more than a little anger to go around about what happened before, during and since the fires, along with the sorrow and thousand other emotions.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some viewers will know Rapaport from his decadeslong acting career but also that one very irritating season of Justified; others will know him for his anti-Palestinian rants and hatred of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This is not to say that rape can be separated from the hatred of women, just that, in certain situations, the role of the victim can be violently reassigned.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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