SOURING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

souring 1 of 2

noun

as in estrangement

the loss of friendship or affection the souring of the business partnership led to an ugly legal battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

souring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sour

as in angering

to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring a misunderstanding that soured their relationship for a long time

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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 souring

Noun

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar blamed the souring relations on Britain’s Labour government, which has condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, placed sanctions on settlers and recognized a Palestinian state. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 The results are part of a larger souring of opinion towards AI, with other recent polling by YouGov and The Economist finding that more than half of Americans say AI development is happening too fast, and that the technology is largely unlikely to deliver significant universal economic gains. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 19 May 2026 The souring of their relationship has at times bordered on the petty and personal. — David Ingram, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026 When Mares went to work at the Ford Plant on his first three days, he was fired, charges state — adding to their souring relationship. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Holly Wade, executive director of research for the National Federation of Independent Business, said the souring of sentiment among small business owners is directly tied to the rising prices of energy, a major input cost for their operations. — Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026 Similarly, in 2023 pandas living in the Edinburgh Zoo were returned to China, a move some believe may have been connected to the souring relationship between China and the United Kingdom. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 Isak's partner in his later years, professional golfer Estefanía Knuth, reportedly played a role in the souring of this relationship, per the investigative sources. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 This led to a souring of relations between New Delhi and Washington and was compounded by Modi sharing a stage with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025

Verb

It’s well documented that a souring relationship can increase your chances of anxiety, eating disorders, and emotional issues. — Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026 Ideally for Detroit, the team will cement both players as franchise pillars without souring any relationships over contract value. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Per People, Oxenberg was candid about her role souring her relationship with the royal family. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026 The industry’s promises AI companies are acutely aware of the souring views toward data centers, and several have made pledges to try and assure Americans that their buildouts will benefit the country. — Ashley Capoot,garrett Downs, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 But their sticker shock for American consumers is becoming increasingly clear – just as economic sentiment is souring ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. — Kent Jones, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 No stomping rhythms here, no shrill blasts in unison, no sweaty masculinity souring the air, no red faces. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 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 mix-up may have contributed to souring the communication between the legal teams of the companies, whose relationship appears to be increasingly frayed. — NBC news, 15 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for souring

Noun

Feel an estrangement like a ventriloquist’s hand in the dressing room after an intense set.

— Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
The rumor mill is still spinning about Prince Harry and Prince William’s estrangement, with a new report suggesting that Harry’s still eager to repair their relationship.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of estrangement

Verb

The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Spain is hard-hit due to small rental market The housing crunch has been simmering for years in Spain, eating into household budgets and angering voters.

— Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of angering

Noun

At the rally, Carney also acknowledged the grievances that have fueled alienation in Alberta.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of alienation

Verb

Physicality presents technical challenges to audio recording, and wit—primarily achievable by coming up with lots of ideas in advance—quickly becomes alienating in a casual setting.

— Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Artists playing into their politics isn’t without risk, as many steer clear to avoid alienating fans or getting embroiled in controversy.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of alienating

Verb

Cummings said that in January 2021, a friend of Birchmore’s called Stoughton police and told a dispatcher about the illicit relationship, infuriating Farwell.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026
His laserlike focus on the particulars of the story doesn’t leave much room for extrapolation; even the infuriating case of bureaucratic overreach that the film depicts can easily be understood, and perhaps even defended, as an aberration.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of infuriating

Noun

Advanced robotics and a rapid rollout of AI should counter the shrinking workforce, while creating enough new jobs to keep youth disaffection at bay.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Their disaffection can create a culture of hopelessness and emotional stasis that lasts well past any economic recovery.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disaffection

Browse Nearby Words

sour grapes

souring

sourish

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“Souring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/souring. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of souring

noun

verb

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