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
As excited as Celebrini was to be back in San Jose, there was still some bitterness as to how the Olympic tournament ended.
—
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Matcha provides the color and gives it a slight yet pleasant green-tea bitterness.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Dark roast has a bold smoky, chocolaty taste with less acidity and more bitterness than other coffee roasts.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
The rest is just bitterness on the Tesla founder’s part once the company became a rocket ship without him.
—Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Anger over the bloodshed now adds to the bitterness over the economy, which has been hollowed out by decades of sanctions, corruption and mismanagement.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The bright fragrant baking spice from Angostura Bitters is replaced with the deep earth of the Cynar whose bitterness brings a constant low hum, like engine noise on an airplane.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Tahini’s bitterness balances the intense sweetness of dates, the traditional Ramadan break-the-fast food; stuffing dates with tahini is a Ramadan treat.
—Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The bitterness is concentrated in the green shoot itself.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Matcha provides the color and gives it a slight yet pleasant green-tea bitterness.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Dark roast has a bold smoky, chocolaty taste with less acidity and more bitterness than other coffee roasts.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
The rest is just bitterness on the Tesla founder’s part once the company became a rocket ship without him.
—Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Anger over the bloodshed now adds to the bitterness over the economy, which has been hollowed out by decades of sanctions, corruption and mismanagement.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The bright fragrant baking spice from Angostura Bitters is replaced with the deep earth of the Cynar whose bitterness brings a constant low hum, like engine noise on an airplane.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Tahini’s bitterness balances the intense sweetness of dates, the traditional Ramadan break-the-fast food; stuffing dates with tahini is a Ramadan treat.
—Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The bitterness is concentrated in the green shoot itself.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
Chinese renewables manufacturers currently face huge uncertainty — and often hostility — while doing business in Europe.—
Xiaoying You,
semafor.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The conflict, known as the Troubles, began after civil rights protestors in Northern Ireland were met with hostility by authorities in 1969.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Within a few blocks of the hotel are also many spots worthy of grabbing a tasty bite or a drink—Bamboo Sushi, Radio Room, and Walter French's, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Hot pot is the ancient cookery method of rapidly poaching bite-sized morsels of fresh vegetables, meats, seafood, and tofu in a communal tableside broth.—
Natasha Pickowicz,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hong Kong’s Mighty Mini-Island Cheung Chau, the pint-sized powerhouse of an island, punches well above its weight in charm and chill vibes.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That's gotta give you the chills.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but no further information on the nature or severity of the injuries was available, Kelley said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
-
While the court handed down several years in prison, the family said the outcome doesn't match the severity of the crime.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Olympics that preached harmony finally united in a single city known for love, beauty and grudges.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
After one sip of Viola’s magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored … and a grudge to last eternity.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Landscape architect Rick Parisi also presented mock-ups showing the foliage that will accent the ballroom grounds and the relocation of a fountain on the east edge of the White House campus.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But a reoccurring point of friction and, really, anger on my part is over the dishwashing and laundry at our house.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Zelensky was forced to make a U-turn and acknowledge public anger.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
White people hurl the N-word at them daily, accompanied by varying degrees of hatred, disgust and violence.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
One on antisemitism and hatred and bigotry, and on that, that’s a black and white issue.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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