as in to anger
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring
a misunderstanding that soured their relationship for a long time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in acidic
causing or characterized by the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids
the sour candy made our mouths all wrinkly inside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
you'll have to face up to the sour truth of the matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
things started off well, but now it's all gone sour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sour
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Even if earnings do come in ahead of expectations, souring economic expectations due to tariffs have already punished their stocks and could continue to do so next week, Cramer said.
—Erin Doherty,annika Kim Constantino,yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
My friend was so sour about my community icebreakers.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Verb
If consumer sentiment continues to sour, spending will likely follow it lower and the economy could take a substantial hit.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Even if earnings do come in ahead of expectations, souring economic expectations due to tariffs have already punished their stocks and could continue to do so next week, Cramer said.
—Erin Doherty,annika Kim Constantino,yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Exhibitors’ tempers were strained by a sour first quarter at the box office, and there was an explosion of talk around longer theatrical windows, which for sure will remain an ongoing conversation.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
My friend was so sour about my community icebreakers.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
-
This week, President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, angering members of the Elbow Patch Mafia around America.—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular.—
Alex Marquardt,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Crisp, acidic and linear aromas of grapefruit, green apples, melon, candy cane and lemon grass; slight lime and salt.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Most veggies prefer slightly acidic soil, but these crops thrive in more alkaline gardens.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2025
-
But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Any format that builds in a conflict of interest is unacceptable.—
Robert Greene,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In ever more apocalyptic language, Trump has sought to unify his MAGA movement with strongman pledges to defend Americans from millions of hostile foreigners seeking to storm the country and to root out enemy aliens within.—
Julia Preston,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Oct. 2024
-
The film follows a ragtag group of actors (played by Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, among other stars) from an ‘80s sci-fi series who aliens unexpectedly abduct during a convention appearance.—
Matt Juul,
BostonGlobe.com,
7 July 2023
Adjective
-
The acid content of these foods irritates your child's skin, causing redness that can look like a rash.6 Viruses and Bacterial Infections Certain viral or bacterial infections may cause multiple symptoms around the mouth, including a rash.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Roy Ayers, the jazz vibraphonist whose smooth fusion planted the seeds of acid jazz and neo soul, died Wednesday at the age of 84.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States and the Soviet Union were bitter adversaries during the four decade-long Cold War, competing for influence on multiple continents and arming their respective proxies from as far afield as Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua in order to enhance their power at the other's expense.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Then the game jumps ahead, to a snowier and more bitter world.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But even one in three Republicans said their cost of living was on the wrong track, according to the poll, which surveyed 4,306 U.S. adults nationwide between April 16 and April 21.—
Jason Lange,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
For the past two decades, a majority of voters have almost without interruption said the country is on the wrong track, through multiple presidential administrations from different parties.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share