embitter

American  

[em-bit-er] / ɛmˈbɪt ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to make bitter; cause to feel bitterness.

   Failure has embittered him.

   Synonyms:

   envenom, rankle, sour

2. to make bitter or more bitter in taste.

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embitter British  

/ ɪmˈbɪtə /

verb

1. to make (a person) resentful or bitter

2. to aggravate (an already hostile feeling, difficult situation, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• embittered adjective
• embitterer noun
• embitterment noun
• unembittered adjective

Etymology

Origin of embitter

First recorded in 1595–1605; em- ¹ + bitter

Example Sentences

I think a lot of the problems that come are when the person at home becomes embittered and starts showing that bitterness to the kids.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet the collapse of Reconstruction in 1877 and the rise of Jim Crow left him embittered, mourning the rollback of hard-won rights.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rapp plays the part of a lover embittered by the lingering presence of a third party in her relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

The anguish that erupts during this “Rose’s Turn” represents more than the built-up sorrow of one embittered woman.

From Los Angeles Times

As Lamar grins through the bright lights of his victory lap, Drake's chosen to sidestep the beef - bar one embittered freestyle denouncing fake friends - and instead focused on repositioning himself.

From BBC

Related Words

• aggravate
• annoy
• disaffect
• disillusion
• exacerbate
• exasperate
• irritate
• sour