sour 1 of 2

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
3
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard things started off well, but now it's all gone sour

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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
Verb
Turkey protested when Egypt’s former defense minister and current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew the Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi in 2013, souring relations with Cairo; while the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul exacerbated tensions with Riyadh. Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Consumers expect prices to go up again after several months of easing, labor market expectations are souring, and recession fears are on the rise. Jenna Sundel hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
It all gets topped off by the Minnesota Lao Brat, a Lao-style bratwurst topped with pickled cabbage and carrot slaw, sour and spicy sauce, chicharrones, mint and Thai basil served on a brioche bun. Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The whole day long since gone sour. Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
  • Robert Bianco, a longtime TV critic for USA Today, emphasized how strongly Levin supported him even when Bianco’s reviews angered Levin’s sources.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Platner also worked as a contractor for Constellis, a successor to the security company Blackwater, which has angered some online activists.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over time, the egg white becomes more acidic.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Three million gallons of acidic mine drainage flooded into the Animas River basin 10 years ago, turning the southern Colorado river a mustard yellow and making international headlines.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The first season of The Office was particularly unpleasant at times, with some of Michael’s most appalling behavior, and The Paper avoids this almost entirely.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • If the egg smells unpleasant or has discoloration, discard the egg.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unwavering loyalty Schrandt told ABC News that any deportations to Afghanistan are an unacceptable outcome.
    Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Cosmetics are not the only place that regulators assessed an unacceptable level of risk.
    Keyaira Boone, Essence, 5 Sep. 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
  • This touchscreen pod machine has a lot to offer, including rich, balanced, coffee; a whopping eight brewing sizes; one-touch presets for low-acid, Americano, iced coffee, and cold brew; plus customizable temperature control and brew strength.
    Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
  • How does the new silver extraction method work The technology, known as Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE), uses a fine stream of weak acid to dissolve silver directly from the panel surface in seconds—the acid stream targets only the silver, leaving everything else untouched.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Creative differences led to a bitter falling out between Davies and Hodgson, who left the band in 1983.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But to have the season’s only returning houseguest exit on a twist like this, and not even from gameplay, social standing or an eviction vote leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, to say the least.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Parasite The first non-English language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, Bong Joon-ho's Parasite centers on the Kims, who live on the wrong side of the tracks in Seoul, South Korea.
    Emy LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Joveljic stepped up and placed the penalty kick into his right-hand corner, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver dove the wrong way.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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