souring 1 of 2

souring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sour

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
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 Which sharks would best and least tolerate souring seas remains an open question. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
After months of souring views driven in part by a surge in gas prices, Americans are feeling more and more optimistic about the economy, according to new data released Friday. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 And public opinion on data centers is souring considerably. Scott Cohn, CNBC, 22 June 2026 With the Epstein files, a feeling that has long been souring appears to now be way past its expiry date. Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 2026 The potential electoral wipeout may spur a leadership challenge, with the political uncertainty likely further souring investors. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 May 2026 The downturn in the president's job approval is largely attributable to souring opinions about the state of the nation's economy and the progression of the United States' joint war on Iran, according to the outlet. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026 Greece probably outperformed key fiscal metrics for 2025 by at least one percentage point of output, offering leeway for aid to voters facing a souring economy, people familiar with the matter said. Sotiris Nikas, Bloomberg, 15 Apr. 2026 The traditionally hot spring buying season has coincided with a souring economic environment impacting the decisions of many homebuyers. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026 With technology and social media dominating the lives of younger generations, Friedberg said there’s a knowledge gap in how to cultivate relationships with factories, how to use the correct terminology and how to choose souring destinations for specific product categories. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for souring
Noun
  • Advertisement Since the 2025 war, broader regional developments have deepened the estrangement.
    Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026
  • Amid the longstanding estrangement, the Duke of Sussex has had only fleeting physical contact with his father (two brief meetings over tea) while Meghan has not been in the same room as any members of the royal family since 2022.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Israel for years avoided officially recognizing the violence as genocide out fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • For years, Israel never officially broached the subject for fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • This book about a couple in complex crisis creates a sense of political alienation that The Drama frankly dances around.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026
  • Much like their 1990s grunge and alt-rock contemporaries in America, Canada’s Our Lady Peace were writing and recording murky, sorrowful songs about youthful frustration and adult rage, love lost and societal alienation.
    Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • To identify the cause without alienating teams, focus on friction patterns instead of individual blame.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • But despite the obvious positives, the league seems to be committed to alienating as many fans as possible by allowing overt political messages.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Pitt and Jolie would eventually split as well in 2016 and finalize a tumultuous divorce in 2024.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Following their split in 2021, the couple's divorce was finalized in 2022.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Adding secondary maturations into the bourbon lineup is likely going to divide longtime Four Roses fans, delighting some and infuriating others.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.
    Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Showing the disaffection for politics and partisanship in this modern era, each of the last five midterm elections have seen presidents with ratings below 50%.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • So, how can an organization remain current on customers' ever-changing needs and expectations without annoying or estranging them?
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Souring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/souring. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on souring

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster