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
The Revolution had just crashed out of the playoffs, but the environment within the locker room had soured. Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025 Sales collapsed, relationships soured and internal blame escalated. Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Without any indication of what to do, the chances of the AI generating sour code are generally increased. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Ben Kang loves ice cream, but like many lactose-intolerant people, a trip to the local ice cream shop could quickly turn sour. Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
  • The attack angered the Gulf nation, and left the only diplomatic track working to bring a ceasefire to Gaza in limbo.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Kimmel's comments on Monday night about the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing angered the administration.
    Clare Lombardo, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rainwater reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic, wearing away at rock exposed on the Earth’s surface.
    Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Producing such minerals in a lifeless place would probably require acidic conditions or high temperatures—and the area showed signs of neither.
    David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Just the prospect of interacting with that person can be unpleasant or feel draining.
    Josh Davis, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
  • One unpleasant but necessary aspect of board service is disciplinary action against unneighborly behavior by members.
    Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Republicans view the proposal as unacceptable.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
  • But with the massive sums of money businesses are putting into CX, a lack of improvement should be seen as unacceptable.
    Tomas Gorny, Forbes.com, 17 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
  • Yerevan now found itself in a hopeless situation, bereft of any real allies, its military in tatters, and an increasingly bitter Armenian public.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
  • While this is a bane to many gardeners (bolting often renders plants bitter, woody, and inedible), in this strife also lies opportunity for those gardeners aiming toward environmental stewardship.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, Rubio said Kirk proved him wrong.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
  • The teacher said, Every word on this list is wrong!
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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