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Definitions

bitter

[bit-er] / ˈbɪt ər /
ADJECTIVE
pungent, sharp
Synonyms
STRONGEST
harsh sour
STRONG
acid astringent tart
WEAK
absinthal absinthian acerb acerbic acrid amaroidal unsweetened vinegary
Antonyms
STRONG
bland sweet
WEAK
agreeable content genial good helping kind mild nice pleasant wonderful
ADJECTIVE
hostile, nasty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acrimonious biting caustic fierce hateful intense rancorous resentful severe sour stinging vitriolic
STRONG
alienated begrudging divided embittered freezing sore
WEAK
antagonistic crabby irreconcilable morose sardonic sullen virulent with chip on shoulder
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm friendly kind mild nice pleasant sweet
WEAK
agreeable bland content genial good helping wonderful
ADJECTIVE
painful, distressing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bad brutal cruel disturbing harsh intense poignant savage severe sharp stinging unpleasant
STRONG
annoying displeasing galling offensive provoking
WEAK
afflictive calamitous dire disagreeable distasteful grievous hard heartbreaking hurtful inclement intemperate merciless rigorous rugged ruthless unpalatable vexatious woeful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
benevolent blunt calm dull easy gentle good honest kind mild moderate nice pleasant pleasing
STRONG
agreeable soothing
WEAK
bland content genial helping sweet wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Numbing spray dripped onto the back of my tongue, its bitter flavor making me want to gag.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and later relocated to California with Meghan amid a bitter royal family rift.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

But Chinese authorities and state media have heaped bitter rhetoric against him, calling him a "troublemaker" and "warmonger".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

And after a bitter three-year strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette over wages and healthcare benefits, the family said in January that the paper will cease publication in May.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Then, with a wave of bitter disappointment, he realized where he was.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Vocabulary lists containing bitter

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3

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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!