1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there's a tartness to this movie critic's reviews that's a little tiresome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
there's a telltale tartness between these two teams that nobody could miss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tartness
Sour Cherry Cotton Candy Customers say this sour cotton candy truly brings on the tartness.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 June 2026
Beyond its tartness, its specificity, and the sensuous, elliptical line work of its prose, the book serves as a vinegary corrective to the novel of nostalgic country-house girlhood.
—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
His shirt reeked of the flowery-formaldehyde tartness of mothballs pickling dress pockets in a closet.
—
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Rock opens with the tartness of lime, yuzu, and apple, then builds to an intense and intoxicating heat from saffron, ginger, and tuberose.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Juicy blueberries are folded into the citrusy batter to add an extra layer of tartness.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Its natural tartness is softened by coconut, rose, vanilla bean, and a hefty dose of sugar.
—
Hannah Agran,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Dulces Clara’s colorful inventory of Mexican candy features a variety of unique creations, like the popular Hormigas, a hard caramel candy with a watermelon flavor and a dusting of spicy chili powder, and gummies that mix the sweetness of mango with the tartness of tamarind.
—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Altoids Sours Altoids Sours, launched by Wrigley in the early 2000s, were packaged in distinctive metal tins and delivered an intense tartness before turning sweet.
—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 June 2026
Beyond its tartness, its specificity, and the sensuous, elliptical line work of its prose, the book serves as a vinegary corrective to the novel of nostalgic country-house girlhood.
—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
His shirt reeked of the flowery-formaldehyde tartness of mothballs pickling dress pockets in a closet.
—
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Rock opens with the tartness of lime, yuzu, and apple, then builds to an intense and intoxicating heat from saffron, ginger, and tuberose.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Juicy blueberries are folded into the citrusy batter to add an extra layer of tartness.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Its natural tartness is softened by coconut, rose, vanilla bean, and a hefty dose of sugar.
—
Hannah Agran,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Dulces Clara’s colorful inventory of Mexican candy features a variety of unique creations, like the popular Hormigas, a hard caramel candy with a watermelon flavor and a dusting of spicy chili powder, and gummies that mix the sweetness of mango with the tartness of tamarind.
—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Altoids Sours Altoids Sours, launched by Wrigley in the early 2000s, were packaged in distinctive metal tins and delivered an intense tartness before turning sweet.
—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tartness
Noun
-
And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness.
-
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
Noun
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In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
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Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Noun
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Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.
-
Nosh on lamb skewers or savor bites of sweet plantains.
Noun
-
The accord called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon.
-
The memorandum of understanding calls for an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hezbollah.
Noun
-
The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
-
The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Noun
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Thrilling smoky minerality on the nose with an abundance of floral aromatics that is laced with a citrus salinity, such as lemon confit, that has marked acidity and finishing aromas of seashell, making this a gorgeously gastronomic wine.
-
In this recipe, sweet navel orange and fresh lime strike a balance of sweetness and sharp acidity.
Cite this Entry
“Tartness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tartness. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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