bitterness

American  

[bit-er-nis] / ˈbɪt ər nɪs /

noun

1. a harsh, acrid taste that is one of the four basic taste sensations; a taste that is not sour, sweet, or salty.

   The beer’s initial flavor profile is a faint bitterness, with a lingering, slightly cloying sweetness.

2. a feeling of pain or distress.

   The bitter herbs at a Passover Seder are meant to remind us of the bitterness of slavery.

3. a feeling of antagonism, hostility, or resentfulness.

   There was no shortage of people expressing frustration and bitterness about the slow pace of the relief efforts.

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Other Word Forms

• overbitterness noun

Etymology

Origin of bitterness

bitter ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Kurds have not hidden their bitterness towards Washington, under whose leadership the anti-jihadist coalition had positioned bases in Kurdish-controlled areas.

From Barron's

No matter how hard he tried, Jonah couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.

From Literature

In that moment, with so much bitterness thrumming inside him, he needed this sweetness.

From Literature

“Yes, sugar is the sweetness that comes from Cuba, but she also wanted to remind us of the bitterness felt by Afro-Cubans who were enslaved on the sugarcane plantations.”

From Literature

But on Monday, Lecornu conceded with "a certain degree of regret and a bit of bitterness" that he had to invoke the power to push the budget through.

From Barron's

Related Words

• anguish
• hostility
• pain
• sarcasm