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

Hand someone an agent that is not wired to the right sources and the output will be poor, which sours both users and the team leads who support them. — Jason Andersen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Several wildfires are raging across Colorado and souring skies with smoke. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

Adjective

The yogurt itself is dense and almost puckeringly sour, and oh, my God, the toppings. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

The Chicago White Sox wrapped up a productive homestand on a sour note on Sunday, losing 5-4 to the Kansas City Royals in front of 27,301 at Rate Field. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Phrases Containing sour

• sour grapes