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
Charlotte struggled to surmount her anger and bitterness toward her once-dear sibling.
—
Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
This tendency, called marcescence, may have developed a few million years ago to discourage large mammals from browsing on trees in winter due to the bitterness of the tannin-rich leaves surrounding buds.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
The point is to not let bitterness take over your life.
—Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
Lean malt profile, firm bitterness and layered aromatics.
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
But Deborah’s bitterness is eclipsing everything.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 1 May 2026
The bitterness mellows beautifully and clings to pasta like it was meant to.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The bitterness mellows into something deeply savory and clings to pasta like it was made for it.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Blanch young leaves briefly to reduce bitterness, then sauté with olive oil, garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
This tendency, called marcescence, may have developed a few million years ago to discourage large mammals from browsing on trees in winter due to the bitterness of the tannin-rich leaves surrounding buds.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
The point is to not let bitterness take over your life.
—Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
Lean malt profile, firm bitterness and layered aromatics.
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
But Deborah’s bitterness is eclipsing everything.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 1 May 2026
The bitterness mellows beautifully and clings to pasta like it was meant to.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The bitterness mellows into something deeply savory and clings to pasta like it was made for it.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Blanch young leaves briefly to reduce bitterness, then sauté with olive oil, garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
But many still derived entertainment from the frequent outbreak of hostilities between the teams, the FIA, and the commercial rights holder (then Bernie Ecclestone; now Liberty Media).—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
-
Their hostility tended to be reserved for Steven Gerrard.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Located on the roof of the Hyatt Centric hotel, the bar has curated cocktails, and offers an array of bites from sister restaurant 7th Street Standard on the street level of the hotel, including chicken tandoori lollipops and charred rapini flatbread.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
-
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches and mini quiche bites are easy to grab individually and provide substance to the picnic.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, difficulty breathing and chest pain.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Trinidad and Tobago disputes the spill’s size and severity, saying only 10 barrels spilled on May 1 and were quickly contained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Research shows a strong link between HS severity and metabolic factors like obesity and insulin resistance, which contribute to a chronic pro-inflammatory state.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Trump is well known for holding a grudge and expecting loyalty, which has been a theme in several Republican primaries this year.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
How sweet this life—if Fortune bears no grudge.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The stalemate that existed has been broken, and the Republicans now seem likely to obtain a meaningful edge heading into the midterms.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.—
Jerry Colonna,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The Soros’ announcement did not say how the foundations will define antisemitism — a point of contention on college campuses and in state legislatures where debates have raged over whether criticism of Israel amounts to hatred of Jewish people.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
The movie thus offers a complaint about the end results of Putinism, not about the ideas—the emotions, the enthusiasms, the resentments, the hatreds—that brought it about.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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