1
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will
he still harbored an implacable bitterness against the company that had fired him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bite
a harsh or sharp quality
the bitterness of the coffee suggested that it had been reheated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a bitterness in the air, so let's build a fire in the fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
complained with great bitterness about the ill treatment he had always received
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bitterness
For example, maror, or bitter herbs, represent the bitterness of slavery.
—
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026
The rest of the band joins in as Ayewa calls for the listener to look up to a world above war, bitterness, and division.
—Steve Donofrio, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Curiously, there is less bitterness among farmworkers and advocates than there is sadness.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
There's a lot of bitterness for the lack of humanitarian intervention in January, Banai said.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Each sip ends with some pleasant heat on the back end, a nice, warming finish that lingers for a few minutes, along with some tannic oak that does not go overboard into bitterness.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026
Seeing a former flame with someone else brings out a jealous bitterness that eats at Lou, which is hard not to relate to as a millennial audience member with a heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2019, Spanish geneticists mapped the genomes of bitter and sweet almonds and determined that a single gene was responsible for almond bitterness.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
For Ryan’s mother, Julia (Taylor), Paul’s surprise visit unleashes a wary bitterness she’s long kept contained.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026
The rest of the band joins in as Ayewa calls for the listener to look up to a world above war, bitterness, and division.
—Steve Donofrio, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Curiously, there is less bitterness among farmworkers and advocates than there is sadness.
—Marcos Breton, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
There's a lot of bitterness for the lack of humanitarian intervention in January, Banai said.
—Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Each sip ends with some pleasant heat on the back end, a nice, warming finish that lingers for a few minutes, along with some tannic oak that does not go overboard into bitterness.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026
Seeing a former flame with someone else brings out a jealous bitterness that eats at Lou, which is hard not to relate to as a millennial audience member with a heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2019, Spanish geneticists mapped the genomes of bitter and sweet almonds and determined that a single gene was responsible for almond bitterness.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
For Ryan’s mother, Julia (Taylor), Paul’s surprise visit unleashes a wary bitterness she’s long kept contained.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bitterness
Noun
-
Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Medical experts say if a rattlesnake bites, keep the area still, at or below heart level, do not apply ice, do not cut the wound, and do not suck out the venom – and seek help immediately.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Eat the elephant one bite at a time, Redd recommends.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Everyone sipped, meditated, reset — and then CA7RIEL and Paco tore the cover off the chill and delivered a high-octane performance that will not soon be forgotten.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The breeze should calm some on Saturday, when overcast skies and an unseasonable chill is expected.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Orkin's bed bug treatment methods may include targeted applications, heat treatments or a combination of strategies, depending on the severity.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The department said the driver's seat was the only part of the car that remained intact, but despite the severity of the crash, the driver suffered only minor injuries.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No Hard Feelings Between the Two To her credit, Stewart wasn’t there to hold a grudge.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After one sip of Viola's magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored…and a grudge to last eternity.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That a website better known for racing to announce celebrity deaths and releasing videos of misbehaving reality stars has turned its eye on DC says something about the anger roiling the nation.—
Elex Michaelson,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Their last few encounters have left Dana on the brink of tears or screaming in anger at herself in the bathroom.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What was disturbing were people who sped past a foot away from elderly people, shouting obscenities with faces twisted in hatred.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Këkht Aräkh is not unique in his loneliness; the pain of being alone is as thematically central to DSBM as the hatred of Christianity.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bitterness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bitterness. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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