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

And now they have received a bitter taste of their own medicine twice in seven days.

From BBC

A smoke point is the point at which the fats in the oil start to break down and nasty compounds are released which can make the oil taste bitter, burnt or unpleasant.

From BBC

They arrive early to warm up the crowd and stay until the bitter end even if nobody is left to watch them.

From Los Angeles Times

Peru is both a bitter rival and an inspiration for Zimbabwe's farmers.

From BBC

“He was serious and thoughtful about his career, not bitter but not exuberant either,” said Waldman, who ended up writing a musical based on a fictionalized version of the Headhunters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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