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

The souring market conditions have brought cling peach acreage down from 19,900 acres in 2014 to 13,300 acres in 2025, according to USDA estimates. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026

The recent rise in Treasury yields has put upward pressure on mortgage rates, in turn souring expectations for the housing market and curbing refinancing activity. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The inescapable stench – equal parts sour and cloying – has settled like a thick haze over the neighborhood, baked by the Southern California heat. — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Sour Over Sweet Taste-wise, sweet cherries may have more universal appeal than sour, but on the health benefit front, the tart fruit leads the way. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing sour

• sour grapes