Synonyms for bitter
- adjective
- adverb
Definitions
- adj. 1
Harsh, piercing, acerbic or stinging.
It was at the end of February, […] when the world was cold, and a bitter wind howled down the moors […].
- adj. 2
Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
The coffee tasted bitter.
- adv. 1
To an intense or severe degree; bitterly.
Related words
Choose the right word
Acid, sour, and bitter agree in being contrasted with sweet, but the two former are sharply distinguished from the latter. Acid or sour is the taste of vinegar or lemon-juice; bitter that of quassia, quinine, or strychnine.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- painful She is still in the painful process of growing up.
- caustic Our English teacher likes to make caustic comments.
- acrid There's an acrid smell here. Is something burning?
- acerbic Tom has a way of making acerbic comments that can sting.
- resentful The one who gets mad at me always turns resentful.
- acrimonious The band's split was acrimonious.
By length
- 3 letters
- sad1
- 4 letters
- acid2, sour2, tart1
- 5 letters
- sharp1, harsh1, cruel2, jaded2, acrid2
- 6 letters
- severe2, fierce1, biting2
- 7 letters
- painful2, hostile2, caustic2, pungent2, acerbic3
- 8 letters
- bitterly3, stinging2, virulent3, vinegary, bitingly
- 9 letters
- sarcastic3, resentful3, sorrowful3, vitriolic4, rancorous3, bitterful
- 10 letters
- unpleasant3, piercingly
- 11 letters
- acrimonious5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (acid2 = 2 syllables).