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
The state said Hollis was wrong for harboring bitterness toward him.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
In addition to the scallions, half a cup of whole parsley leaves adds a grassy depth and pleasant bitterness to this salad.
—Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
Just make sure to choose limes with slightly thinner skin for less bitterness.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Weeks after American Idol audiences booed her for giving honest feedback, Carrie Underwood responded not with bitterness but with blue boxes.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Throughout this episode, Austin’s bitterness festers.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
In addition to the scallions, half a cup of whole parsley leaves adds a grassy depth and pleasant bitterness to this salad.
—Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
Just make sure to choose limes with slightly thinner skin for less bitterness.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Weeks after American Idol audiences booed her for giving honest feedback, Carrie Underwood responded not with bitterness but with blue boxes.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Throughout this episode, Austin’s bitterness festers.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
As this sequence plays out, the social fabric further shreds and unravels; trust circles shrink and become ever more homogeneous; and hostility, mean spiritedness, and a general hardening take hold in society.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
The president did send a letter to Congress, just to recap, saying that hostilities have been terminated, given the ceasefire that was put in place on April 7th.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Each bite is perfumed with heady cinnamon, floral vanilla, and earthy ras el hanout.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Adding more bite to the aesthetic, the sole narrows to a point in front.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Members of the olive family, Oleaceae, lilacs are well suited to life in cold climates—in fact, the chill of winter is essential to their bud development and maturation.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Cover and chill until firm, 4 to 24 hours.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite the severity of the South Carolina outbreak, Edwards considers the public health response a success.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The actual severity of any shortcomings at OpenAI and how far any weaknesses could spread remain open questions, Yardeni said.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Brady didn’t appear to hold a grudge and could be seen laughing during the rest of Ross’ set.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Hannah Alline – Feral A man (Ethan Embry) with a grudge against women crashes a bachelorette party prepared to brutally kill everyone there.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the eastern edge of the state, Sioux Falls is best known for Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River spills over wide stretches of pink quartzite rock.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response to that outpouring of anger, the government said Starmer acknowledged fear within the community.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
The anger is understandable, but it’s pointed in the wrong direction.—
Robert Johnson,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In the centuries since colonists waged war against the crown, American’s attitudes toward the royals have shifted from hatred to adoration.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the War on Terror persisted and mutated into nightmares in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then Syria, which unleashed that darkness in the form of terrorist states and a refugee crisis that spread anti-Muslim and anti-migrant hatred to Europe, the United States, and beyond.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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