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

But what was supposed to be Yung Miami’s sweet mainstream moment has left a sour aftertaste. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Things turned sour between neighbors in February 2025 when the city of Willow Park annexed 321 acres near Interstate 20 and FM 1187 west of Fort Worth. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sour

• sour grapes