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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
things started off well, but now it's all gone sour
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill
Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
Had Southwest lost, the Eagles, no doubt with sour dispositions, would have loaded back in the vans, trekked home, then turned around to make the same trip again on Thursday to play an elimination game against Canyon Hills.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Verb
Their initial encounter is soured by Oliver, who teaches literature at a university, calling his great great great great aunt’s oeuvre overrated and limited in scope.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill
Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Adjective
Throughout its 120 year history the Clover Club—a gin sour, tarted up with fresh raspberries and smoothed out with an egg white—has been celebrated, then dismissed, then forgotten, and now, finally, is back on top.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
Had Southwest lost, the Eagles, no doubt with sour dispositions, would have loaded back in the vans, trekked home, then turned around to make the same trip again on Thursday to play an elimination game against Canyon Hills.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
-
The presence was much larger than when officials detained an immigrant last week and appeared to be a continuation of the new and controversial practice that has troubled attorneys, angered activists and increased fears for immigrants.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
-
Read more: Vikings' Reason For Passing on Aaron Rodgers Revealed: Report Keeping that in mind, a new prediction has been made for the Vikings that will anger the fan base.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
The finish is bright, pleasantly acidic, and long lasting.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
-
The finished dish is bright, acidic, and perfectly seasoned.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Diana, for example, when anything unpleasant was said in her presence, would slowly blink her eyes in an incredible act of denial.—
Rosemary Counter,
Time,
25 June 2025
-
Some of these vitamins have quality issues, like a fishy or unpleasant taste.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Adams said that such outside interference on a group of experts who are supposed to be able to review science free from political influence sets an unacceptable standard.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 June 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
-
The floors are done in chestnut-toned wood, with acid green carpets made from bamboo silk, while the VVIP suite has its own private sitting room.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 June 2025
-
Fluoride also replaces minerals lost from teeth due to acid breakdown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the fascination of the early days was gone, and more often than not their time together devolved into bitter spats.—
Mark Polizzoti
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
-
Lips can get a bit of color too, via RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil packed with adaptogenic herbs, jojoba oil, vanilla extract, and bitter cherry seed oil to condition the pout.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Verge reported a Tesla Model Y robotaxi briefly traveled the wrong way down a road in Austin.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
-
Effective leaders recognize that different doesn’t mean wrong.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share