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
And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness.
—
Dan Zaksheske Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
—
Sari Kamin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 June 2026
Add the lime juice just before serving to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.
—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
How did someone emerge from such darkness without becoming consumed by bitterness?
—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
What occasionally helps Aethermead is Barnes’ palpable bitterness.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
That unique bitterness is mocked, but revered, in countless social media videos.
—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Cook mustard greens with olive oil and spices like pepper flakes and garlic, then add vinegar or lemon juice to balance the bitterness.
—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
4 June 2026
Bram, his husband, has a demanding job at a museum in Rotterdam and Arnold’s bitterness has grown wearying.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Dan Zaksheske Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
—
Sari Kamin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 June 2026
Add the lime juice just before serving to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.
—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
How did someone emerge from such darkness without becoming consumed by bitterness?
—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
What occasionally helps Aethermead is Barnes’ palpable bitterness.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
That unique bitterness is mocked, but revered, in countless social media videos.
—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Cook mustard greens with olive oil and spices like pepper flakes and garlic, then add vinegar or lemon juice to balance the bitterness.
—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
4 June 2026
Bram, his husband, has a demanding job at a museum in Rotterdam and Arnold’s bitterness has grown wearying.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
The accord called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon.
-
The memorandum of understanding calls for an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hezbollah.
Noun
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That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
-
Opening to the public June 29, Level 99 also serves a full menu of bites, cocktails and beers and features the work of 23 visual artists from across the world.
Noun
-
The chills, along with some sudden nausea, were so strong that my mom and I left the Greek Theatre early.
-
In the summer, the weather is typically golf-perfect with mild temperatures and chill breezes as the day moves on.
Noun
-
In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
-
Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Noun
-
So exemplary was Bergeron’s career, on the ice and off, there are no lingering grudges in this or that city, no bills to pay, no scores to settle.
-
But pretty soon the two interlopers into this small, grudge-holding but tight-knit community — the kind where, going back generations, everybody not only knows but is mightily resentful of everyone else’s business — develop a kind of outsider kinship.
Noun
-
The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
-
The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Noun
-
Or that Penélope Cruz’s sultry chilliness would jibe with either her male counterparts or Wilde’s diary-of-a-mad-housewife interpretation of a brittle, eager-to-impress woman brimming with creative frustration.
Noun
-
Research shows over half of American travelers feel exhausted, with one in five admitting to booking a trip out of anger.
-
Newsom, eyeing a presidential run in 2028, has spoken in recent months about populist anger directed towards tech executives whose companies have earned billions while their products threaten to automate jobs out of existence and suck up precious environmental resources.
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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