Synonyms of sour

sour 1 of 2

verb

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

• anger
• alien
• infuriate
• outrage
• alienate
• estrange
• enrage
• disgruntle
• annoy
• sever
• embitter
• disaffect
• irritate
• disappoint
• antagonize
• aggravate
• bother
• split
• divide
• rankle
• disillusion
• rile
• inflame
• roil
• incense
• dissociate
• disunite
• exasperate
• madden
• irk
• bug
• sunder
• separate
• envenom
• vex
• uncouple
• pique
• disenchant
• gall
• grate
• chafe
• break up
• unlink
• unyoke
• nettle
• peeve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reconcile
• appease
• placate
• conciliate
• pacify
• ingratiate
• disarm
• endear
• mollify
• propitiate

sour

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsau̇(-ə)r 

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

• acidic
• acid
• tart
• sourish
• vinegary
• soured
• acidulous
• dry
• tangy
• tartish
• unsweetened
• pungent
• zesty
• astringent
• zingy
• zestful
• puckery
• sharp
• hyperacid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sweet
• smooth
• bland
• flat
• thin
• tasteless
• insipid
• weak
• watery
• dilute
• flavorless
• savorless
• zestless

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

• unpleasant
• bitter
• harsh
• unpleasing
• bad
• nasty
• ugly
• rotten
• sickening
• disgusting
• horrible
• awful
• disagreeable
• wicked
• unwelcome
• unpalatable
• shocking
• uncongenial
• displeasing
• distasteful
• unsavory
• dreadful
• unlovely
• icky
• hideous
• yucky
• sick
• vile
• annoying
• hateful
• obnoxious
• bilious
• repulsive
• irritating
• offensive
• revolting
• gross
• loathsome
• foul
• horrid
• nauseating
• odious
• villainous
• invidious
• repugnant
• obscene
• nauseous
• unholy
• hellish
• scandalous
• repellent
• ghastly
• abominable
• appalling
• seamy
• aggravating
• abhorrent
• noisome
• beastly
• horrendous
• gnarly
• miserable
• vexing
• revulsive
• galling
• crummy
• god-awful
• wretched
• crappy
• lousy
• sucky
• cruddy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• good
• nice
• agreeable
• welcome
• grateful
• satisfying
• congenial
• palatable
• gratifying
• pleasurable
• delicious
• delightful
• sweet
• pleasing
• friendly
• charming
• amiable
• dreamy
• jolly
• delectable
• kindly
• felicitous
• cheery

3

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard

things started off well, but now it's all gone sour

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unacceptable
• wrong
• poor
• lame
• bad
• deficient
• horrible
• terrible
• awful
• disastrous
• pathetic
• bastard
• flawed
• unsatisfactory
• brutal
• crummy
• wretched
• dreadful
• off
• inferior
• rotten
• ill
• substandard
• lacking
• wanting
• from hunger
• punk
• lousy
• suboptimal
• bush
• dissatisfactory
• wack
• subpar
• inadequate
• paltry
• stinky
• short
• miserable
• defective
• gross
• bush-league
• below par
• detestable
• vile
• insufficient
• useless
• worthless
• gnarly
• deplorable
• unspeakable
• damnable
• lesser
• common
• bum
• cheesy
• sucky
• faulty
• low-grade
• horrendous
• abysmal
• mediocre
• flagrant
• atrocious
• egregious
• odious
• execrable
• crappy
• low-rent
• trashy
• coarse
• sleazy
• shoddy
• abominable
• valueless
• reprehensible
• stingy
• shabby
• second-rate
• miserly
• villainous
• meager
• scanty
• bitchin'
• skimpy
• scurrilous
• fake
• junky
• rubbishy
• spare
• mean
• counterfeit
• cut-rate
• phony
• sham
• miscreant
• skimp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfactory
• fine
• all right
• acceptable
• adequate
• tolerable
• decent
• standard
• great
• respectable
• classical
• classic
• excellent
• better
• perfect
• divine
• OK
• special
• passable
• prime
• wonderful
• superior
• top
• heavenly
• splendid
• swell
• sensational
• slick
• terrific
• stellar
• noble
• mean
• keen
• choice
• grand
• marvelous
• neat
• sterling
• superb
• sufficient
• first-class
• dandy
• capital
• premium
• par excellence
• boss
• fancy
• exceptional
• fabulous
• superlative
• banner
• average
• minimal
• mediocre
• fair
• unsurpassed
• borderline
• high-grade
• nifty
• A1
• middling
• suitable
• useful
• groovy
• worthy
• supernal
• first-rate
• high-test
• top-notch
• satisfying
• crackerjack
• bang-up
• gratifying
• tip-top
• jim-dandy
• unexceptional
• so-so

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sour

Verb

Ongoing inflation has eroded Americans' incomes and soured most consumers on the economy. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

But the women’s friendship soured when Brady claimed McDonnell and Nilles tried to swindle her out of funds. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Fuel that smells sour, appears darker than usual, or shows signs of separation should be drained from the lawn mower and disposed of properly, instead of combined with new fuel. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 31 Oct. 2026

Wells Fargo expects shoppers to increasingly favor value packs and alternatives that use less cocoa, including gummies, sour candy, wafers and caramel. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sour

• sour grapes