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
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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.
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Recent Examples of sour
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Public opinion has also soured against encampments and blight in recent years, fueling election promises of faster solutions to homelessness.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The cold was biting at that hour, and people hurried about, thinking of autumn—a season as bitter and disagreeable as a sour apple that could nonetheless hold a beautiful day or two in store before the freeze set in, a sudden blue sky washed clean by the wind or rain.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sour
Verb
Theo Epstein left the Boston Red Sox for the Cubs in 2011 after his relationship with owner John Henry soured.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Public opinion has also soured against encampments and blight in recent years, fueling election promises of faster solutions to homelessness.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Her wide forehead tapered to a sour mouth and little pointed chin.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The cold was biting at that hour, and people hurried about, thinking of autumn—a season as bitter and disagreeable as a sour apple that could nonetheless hold a beautiful day or two in store before the freeze set in, a sudden blue sky washed clean by the wind or rain.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
-
Many of the Italians who chanted and blew whistles near the grand stone arch in the Piazza XXV Aprile said they had been horrified and angered by images and videos on social media showing ICE agents operating violently in Minneapolis.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, Congress passed legislation at the request of the president to rescind $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, angering Democrats and some Republicans.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The combination of the formula's acidic component, which dissolves stains and the mild abrasive, which lifts the texture, effectively revives old cookware.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Baking soda, a fine white powder, can neutralize acidic carpet stains, absorb odors, and act as a gentle abrasive to help loosen and lift dirt and other debris.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Using a speaker outside the stall results in reverb and echoing as the music bounces around the bathroom walls, making the sound muddy and unpleasant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Given the lack of gravity, even a runny nose can turn into an extremely unpleasant experience, forcing astronauts to resort to unusual measures just to drain mucus from their nasal passages.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
These actions, coupled with her own words, reveal an unacceptable disdain for our constitutional system of checks and balances.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The movies of 2026 have got it all, from iconic Disney toys and Steven Spielberg aliens to Ghostface and Baby Yoda.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Jan. 2026
-
At the beginning of the book, aliens implant images of tool-using into the minds of man-apes.—
Larissa MacFarquhar,
New Yorker,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s lacking is acid, some tang, to cut through the excess of richness.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
What begins as a slow, lumbering triplet rhythm gradually morphs into a fleet and elegant quasi-acid jam; drums that start off gently turn tough and clattering before the whole thing fades out in a soft sunset glow.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a fairly faithful rendition of the original, with bushy broccoli rabe as the bitter green of choice.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
After their murders, their families sat in the bitter cold and grieved, waiting for the prime minister, Imran Khan, to come and mourn with them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mia’s giant bow dress is fabulous, but her hair is all wrong.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Which is why the reaction to Clemson coach Dabo Swinney blowing the whistle on Ole Miss coach Pete Golding for alleged tampering feels so wrong.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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