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
Find out how to beat boredom and bitterness while holding onto your job, with tips on how to build your next chapter, from career coach Cynthia Young.
—
Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
There was so much discontent, resentment, and bitterness concerning Mae and Lena’s biological father.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 May 2026
There was no detectable bitterness in his voice.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 21 May 2026
This matters because fermentation reduces bitterness and makes plant compounds, especially polyphenols, more available.
—Dr. Steven Gundry, CNBC, 19 May 2026
By the time Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record of consecutive baseball games played (2,130) on September 6, 1995, some of the bitterness was replaced by a national euphoria that had Pres.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
In between them are interchanging layers of Wagyu sofrito, humming with annatto’s earthy, peppery bitterness, and Pecorino béchamel.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
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
Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
There was so much discontent, resentment, and bitterness concerning Mae and Lena’s biological father.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 May 2026
There was no detectable bitterness in his voice.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 21 May 2026
This matters because fermentation reduces bitterness and makes plant compounds, especially polyphenols, more available.
—Dr. Steven Gundry, CNBC, 19 May 2026
By the time Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record of consecutive baseball games played (2,130) on September 6, 1995, some of the bitterness was replaced by a national euphoria that had Pres.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
In between them are interchanging layers of Wagyu sofrito, humming with annatto’s earthy, peppery bitterness, and Pecorino béchamel.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
Ashley Pruitt is one of 13 service members killed in action since hostilities with Iran began in late February.—
Tara Copp The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
-
In other words, moments of warmth, humor, validation or affection need to outnumber moments of hostility or annoyance.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
This can occur with or without skin markings, which may be mistaken for seemingly benign culprits like bug bites or an allergic reaction.—
Alyssa Sparacino,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
-
Guests celebrating Giant included American Vogue Editor Chloe Malle as well as theater producers Tom Kirhady, Lucas McMahon, and Greg Nobile, who sipped on wine and champagne and dined on light bites whilst mingling and talking Tony prospects.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Since the best way to conserve your freezer’s chill is to keep the door closed, have someone time your mad dash for sugar.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
While refrigeration in general isn’t the best option for bread storage, certain types are even more affected by the chill than others.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Hernández expects to know more about the severity of the injury Wednesday.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Depending on the severity of the injury, obliques typically require at least a month to heal.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The Cleveland Guardians apparently don’t hold a grudge.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
-
Those Hutts sure do hold a grudge, however, and the remainder of the movie essentially becomes a cat-and-mouse game between the criminals and our dynamic duo.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The mattress on the bed was a little short and my bare feet hung off the edge, beyond the light white sheet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
All that was left of the snow was shoveled into melting mounds at the edges of intersections and crosswalks.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Death is often a flash point for communal anger.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
Lemieux was known for diving on the ice, embellishments that drew the anger of opponents, Farber said, and often his own teammates.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
There is no kind of treatment that’s going to get rid of this body dysmorphia and hatred toward your body.—
Louis Staples,
Glamour,
27 May 2026
-
Silence enables hatred to grow.—
Michael Brunker,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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