Synonyms of bitterness

bitterness

noun

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

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred
• animosity
• tension
• rancor
• antagonism
• enmity
• feud
• antipathy
• malice
• animus
• friction
• jaundice
• gall
• bad blood
• discord
• vindictiveness
• alienation
• virulence
• vendetta
• loathing
• disaffection
• hate
• vitriol
• estrangement
• conflict
• spite
• blood feud
• score
• unfriendliness
• coolness
• malignity
• venom
• spitefulness
• malignancy
• strain
• inhospitableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amity
• hospitality
• friendliness
• cordiality
• sympathy
• friendship
• civility
• understanding
• amiability
• neighborliness
• empathy
• goodwill
• comity
• amicability

2

as in bite

a harsh or sharp quality

the bitterness of the coffee suggested that it had been reheated

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bite
• edge
• acidity
• harshness
• severity
• acerbity
• acrimony
• spice
• sharpness
• poignancy
• pungency
• acridity
• roughness
• tartness
• poignance
• acuteness
• tang
• punch
• acridness
• asperity
• severeness
• acidness
• keenness
• shrillness
• ginger
• acrimoniousness
• virulence
• vitriol
• maliciousness
• raucousness
• pointedness
• cattiness
• thorniness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

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

• chill
• chilliness
• coldness
• bleakness
• bite
• rawness
• sharpness
• cold
• nip
• crispness
• nippiness
• briskness
• iciness
• frigidity
• freeze
• frostiness
• frigidness
• wintriness
• gelidity
• snap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warmth
• warmness
• heat
• balminess
• hotness
• sultriness

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

• hostility
• severity
• anger
• malice
• bile
• virulence
• corrosiveness
• acidity
• acrimony
• vitriol
• resentment
• acridity
• tartness
• venom
• virulency
• harshness
• acridness
• sourness
• jealousy
• asperity
• spite
• cattiness
• coldness
• animosity
• sternness
• mordancy
• gruffness
• rancor
• vindictiveness
• rudeness
• crossness
• surliness
• incivility
• vehemence
• scorn
• iciness
• acidness
• malevolence
• impoliteness
• relentlessness
• jaundice
• ungraciousness
• nastiness
• gall
• spleen
• pique
• sour grapes
• discourteousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diplomacy
• kindness
• sweetness
• sympathy
• cordiality
• politeness
• courtesy
• tenderness
• civility
• graciousness
• geniality
• warmth
• compassion
• softness
• tactfulness
• smoothness
• urbanity
• suavity
• oiliness
• unctuousness
• suaveness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bitterness

The salmoriglio, a Calabrian condiment with garlic and herbs similar to chimichurri, features dandelion greens, their bitterness a counter to some of the sweetness. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

The amateur is freed from the pressures of exhibition and sale, but that might just as easily breed bitterness as happiness. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

But few, if any, can match the tradition, scale, and bitterness of the yearly clash between Alabama and Tennessee on the third Saturday in October. — Austin Evans, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026

Written with a reporter’s sharp eye for detail and a remarkable lack of anger or bitterness, this is a compelling story of courage and grace. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

In bitterness and grief, Jay goes scuba diving to recover his father’s body and gets swallowed by a sperm whale. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Why arugula may help digestion The whole pitch hinges on one thing, bitterness. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026