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Definitions

bittersweet

[bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet] / ˌbɪt ərˈswit, ˈbɪt ərˌswit, ˈbɪt ərˌswit /
ADJECTIVE
affecting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
poignant stirring touching
WEAK
arousing affect
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unaffecting
ADJECTIVE
poignant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter disturbing emotional heartbreaking heartrending moving passionate pathetic sad sentimental touching
WEAK
agitating agonizing distressing impressive intense perturbing piteous pitiful sorrowful upsetting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy indifferent unaffecting unemotional unmoving wonderful
WEAK
blah blunt calm dull numb pleasant soothing
ADJECTIVE
touching
Synonyms
STRONGEST
heartbreaking pathetic poignant sad stirring stunning wistful
STRONG
compassionate melting tender
WEAK
emotive heart-rending impressive mind-blowing piteous pitiable pitiful responsive sympathetic tear-jerking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy
STRONG
hard
WEAK
unaffecting unmoving
ADJECTIVE
painful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agonizing arduous awful difficult dire distasteful distressing excruciating hard harrowing heart-wrenching hurtful severe tedious terrible troublesome uncomfortable unpleasant
WEAK
aching afflictive biting burning caustic disagreeable dreadful extreme extremely bad grievous hurting inflamed irritated laborious piercing raw saddening sensitive sharp smarting sore stinging tender throbbing tormenting trying vexatious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm easy facile friendly good great helpful mild nice pleasant pleasing simple wonderful
WEAK
delightful painless

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.

Georgie's older sister Steph, 40, said meeting Kim had been bittersweet for the family.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

A brownie that picks a lane and commits: dense and structured, deeply bittersweet and finished with a sharp hit of salt.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Tana French’s “The Keeper” is the final volume in her Cal Hooper trilogy and a bittersweet reckoning for its protagonist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

It’s McKellen reveling in a great role: charmingly funny but also bittersweet in the film’s examination of how fading fame can calcify one’s soul.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath of the bittersweet scent.

From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman

Vocabulary lists containing bittersweet

Brown Girl Dreaming

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Born Behind Bars

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The Last Lecture

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!