bitter

[bit-er]

adjective

bitterer, bitterest 

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

   Synonyms: distasteful, unpalatable, acrid

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

3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful.

   a bitter sorrow.

   Synonyms: painful, poignant

4. causing pain; piercing; stinging.

   a bitter chill.

   Synonyms: nipping, biting

5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility.

   bitter hatred.

   Synonyms: relentless, ruthless, cruel, fierce

6. hard to admit or accept.

   a bitter lesson.

7. resentful or cynical.

   bitter words.

   Synonyms: scornful, sardonic, biting, caustic, acrimonious

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

/ ˈbɪtə /

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

adverb

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

noun

1. a thing that is bitter

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

verb

1. to make or become bitter

Other Word Forms

• bitterish adjective
• bitterly adverb
• bitterness noun
• nonbitter adjective
• overbitter adjective
• overbitterly adverb
• unbitter adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter¹

Old English biter ; related to bītan to _bite

Idioms and Phrases

• take the bitter with the sweet

Example Sentences

Macron's bitter enemies in the far-left France Unbowed party are calling for him personally to resign, but few commentators think it likely.

From BBC

It can't be told how it would have shaken out between Albon's long first stint and Alonso, but it was another bitter blow for Alonso in a season when luck refuses to go his way.

From BBC

His handling of the affair led to bitter divisions between the monks and his recent decision to step down.

From BBC

It was a bitter blow and one Scotland would not recover from as Canada marched down the other end and powered over the line through substitute Kassil.

From BBC

But as Helen would probably attest, sometimes a muddle mixed with spirits, bitters and twists makes a smashing cocktail.

From Salon

Related Words

• acrimonious 
• biting 
• caustic 
• fierce 
• hateful 
• intense 
• rancorous 
• resentful 
• severe 
• sour 
• stinging www.thesaurus.com
• vitriolic