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View synonyms for

bitter

[bit-er]

adjective

bitterer, bitterest 
  1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.

  3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful.

    a bitter sorrow.

    Synonyms: ,
  4. causing pain; piercing; stinging.

    a bitter chill.

    Synonyms: ,
  5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility.

    bitter hatred.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  6. hard to admit or accept.

    a bitter lesson.

  7. resentful or cynical.

    bitter words.

    Synonyms: , , , ,


noun

  1. that which is bitter; bitterness.

    Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.

  2. British.a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.

verb (used with object)

  1. to make bitter.

    herbs employed to bitter vermouth.

adverb

  1. extremely; very; exceedingly.

    a bitter cold night.

bitter

/ ˈɪə /

adjective

  1. having or denoting an unpalatable harsh taste, as the peel of an orange or coffee dregs Compare sour

  2. showing or caused by strong unrelenting hostility or resentment

    he was still bitter about the divorce

  3. difficult or unpleasant to accept or admit

    a bitter blow

  4. cutting; sarcastic

    bitter words

  5. bitingly cold

    a bitter night

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. very; extremely (esp in the phrase bitter cold )

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a thing that is bitter

  2. beer with a high hop content, with a slightly bitter taste

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make or become bitter

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • bitterish adjective
  • bitterly adverb
  • bitterness noun
  • nonbitter adjective
  • overbitter adjective
  • overbitterly adverb
  • unbitter adjective
  • ˈٳٱԱ noun
  • ˈٳٱ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English biter; cognate with German bitter, Old Norse bitr, Gothic baitrs; akin to bite
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter1

Old English biter ; related to īٲ to bite
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idioms beginning with bitter, also see take the bitter with the sweet.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Lundes still has bitter memories of his childhood, but he’s also found a kind of peace with his folks, and has forgiven them for not being there for him when he was a boy.

From

“New life tended to spring from bitterest ash,” she writes.

From

“With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself — and it will undoubtedly face it,” he said, according to a statement released to local media.

From

“There is little to tell about our long, bitter struggle for success, which never happened that way,” he declared.

From

LaMarita recommended eating baby radish greens raw since they tend to have a less bitter flavor profile compared to mature radish greens, which are best served cooked.

From

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