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
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Recent Examples of bitterness
In a dry cabin, sugary mixers can read louder than intended, especially when there’s not enough acidity or bitterness to balance them.
—
Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker was upbeat and grateful without expressing outward bitterness against the companies that turned him down.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Reporters laughed at the silliness without bitterness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Age and bitterness appear to have compounded the narcissism and egomania to produce derangement.
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
These types of tomatoes don’t require hours of cooking to remove bitterness.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Mezcal lends smokiness, earthiness and a little bitterness to the shot — while Amaro Montenegro is sweet and herbal, Foley said.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker was upbeat and grateful without expressing outward bitterness against the companies that turned him down.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Reporters laughed at the silliness without bitterness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Age and bitterness appear to have compounded the narcissism and egomania to produce derangement.
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
These types of tomatoes don’t require hours of cooking to remove bitterness.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Mezcal lends smokiness, earthiness and a little bitterness to the shot — while Amaro Montenegro is sweet and herbal, Foley said.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
Stuart said the measure reflects a sobering escalation in political hostility and violence.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In his second term, their defining emotions are hostility and happiness.—
Christine Zhang,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One bite of the soufflé is enough to shatter any notion chili has no place in a French restaurant.—
Claire Ballor
Staff Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2022, Kang wrote a second post about Valerio that didn’t mention the bite.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But temperatures were below freezing in central Florida, with the wind chill in the teens.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
But this time, with driving gloves instead of winter gloves and racing shoes instead of snow boots, there’s a chance their extremities could feel the chill.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This significant reduction in impact speed and severity is a demonstration of the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The migrant boat capsized and sank due to the severity of the impact, causing all passengers on board to fall into the sea a few miles off the coast of Turkey, the statement said.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Some can hold grudges for years.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In short, the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war are a weird laboratory for modern warfare, which, against all odds, has given Ukraine a considerable tactical edge over its much larger adversary.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In metro Phoenix, people are speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions — in anger, in defiance, in frustration and fear.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Inevitably, Big Ant soon comes crashing back down to Earth and the swirl of anger and sorrow that await him there; inevitably, Lil Ant and Lozita are forced to face his unhappiness, and figure out how to react.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your hatred of our governor has blinded your ability to be balanced, fair or accurate.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
-
There’s no hatred, no resentment, no real rivalry to speak of, beyond the unquenchable fire that drives every great athlete.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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