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

His bitterness over his broken dreams not only hangs over his own life, but threatens to shatter his family. — Steve Palopoli, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Some taste like sweet custard with fruity flourishes, others carry a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter-like flavor. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns had no shortage of Shield callbacks, but all of them landed amid a 12-year story of brotherhood, betrayal and bitterness. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Pouring boiling water on your tea can burn the leaves and bring out unwanted bitterness. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026

But Martha often uses salad leaves with a little natural bitterness or peppery edge, such as radicchio, watercress, or arugula, to cut through rich or creamy fillings and help balance the sandwich. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

Salt suppresses bitterness while sweetness softens the sour edges. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Delicate notes of wild berries complement the citrusy hop character and crisp, dry finish, creating a perfect balance of fruity flavor and bitterness. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026