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 start of the war in Iran soured the reputation of the US government at home and abroad. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Food safety breaches can quickly sour consumers and investors on a brand or restaurant, experts said. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Adjective

This is not against any rules, but leaves a sour taste in fans’ mouths. — James Hansen, New York Times, 27 July 2026

According to the magazine, Sun’s involvement as a high-profile billionaire helped legitimize the project and drew in additional investors, turning it into a fundraising success—until things turned sour. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Phrases Containing sour

• sour grapes