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
Acidic liquids can tame that bitterness.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
After bitterness, a little sweetness is in order.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Coel bites into the acerbic bitterness of that history in their early exchanges, with a vein of malice in questions supposedly intended to reveal who Mary has become and hence what kind of dress will feel true to her.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
There's no tartness, no bitterness whatsoever.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Hawke utterly transforms as Hart, whose bitterness over his former creative partner Richard Rodgers' (Andrew Scott) acclaim leads to an existential crisis.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
There might be bitterness in similar fights in F1’s deeper past, but unleashing this in 2026 would risk destabilizing the deep bonds Wolff clearly wants to protect.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
No bitterness like others reported.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
As was the case then, an inequitable solution now will further widen social and economic divisions and foment bitterness in this country.
—Robert Hormats, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
After bitterness, a little sweetness is in order.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Coel bites into the acerbic bitterness of that history in their early exchanges, with a vein of malice in questions supposedly intended to reveal who Mary has become and hence what kind of dress will feel true to her.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
There's no tartness, no bitterness whatsoever.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Hawke utterly transforms as Hart, whose bitterness over his former creative partner Richard Rodgers' (Andrew Scott) acclaim leads to an existential crisis.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
There might be bitterness in similar fights in F1’s deeper past, but unleashing this in 2026 would risk destabilizing the deep bonds Wolff clearly wants to protect.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
No bitterness like others reported.
—Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
As was the case then, an inequitable solution now will further widen social and economic divisions and foment bitterness in this country.
—Robert Hormats, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
Lebanese officials have pushed for a ceasefire, while Israel has framed the negotiations around Hezbollah’s disarmament and a potential peace deal, without publicly committing to halting hostilities or withdrawing its forces.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Thanks to the religious hostilities that burst open in the late sixteenth century, the prevailing hue is blood.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Expect fiery cocktails and spicy bites — plus a few surprise DJ sets for a daytime experience that's as much about the vibe as the drink in your hand.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But households are already feeling the bite.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That should have sent a chill, both through Europe and around the world.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Winter is yet another opportunity for Southern gardens—either enjoy some color during the winter chill or plant seeds and bulbs for upcoming seasons.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the flight crew allegedly requested an onboard doctor, a physician-passenger advised that due to the severity of the burns and their proximity to her genitals, AC should be transported to an urgent care facility as soon as possible, the complaint says.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities say the fire caused losses far exceeding $10 million, a key threshold that elevates the severity of the charge, while federal officials estimate total damage at roughly $500 million.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The witness said Safi had been upset for weeks, but employees at the store told police Safi held a grudge against them for years, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Having set Coel’s grudge-nurturing immovable object and Hathaway’s in-crisis irresistible force on a collision course, the film proceeds to let the former batter the latter with a mix of acidic banter, passive-aggressive comments masked as curiosity, and compli-sults that cut bone.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The company, Zhan expects, will be more efficient than other cutting-edge labs due to his experience building Gemini, which is Google’s artificial intelligence model.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In men’s sports, fandom comes with much more of an edge.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eighteen years later, Martha-Ann Alito would be recorded expressing her still-raw anger over a Washington Post column that critiqued her wardrobe.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Every game is played away from home, the atmosphere always feels hostile and the wild-west of social media means the anger and loathing persist long after a match has ended.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here was a player who had without doubt suffered more abuse and more taunts and more hatred than any player in the history of the game.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Well, maybe that hatred of losing — truly not accepting it, and confronting others who are OK with it — is the pathway to winning.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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