bitter
adjective
bit·ter
| \ ˈbi-tər
\
\
Definition of bitter
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a
: being, inducing, or marked by the one of the five basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or ale
The pill left a bitter taste in my mouth. bitter beer bitter chocolates
— compare salty entry 1 sense 1b, sour entry 1 sense 1, sweet entry 1, umami entry 2 sense 1
b
: distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling
a bitter sense of shame
2
: marked by intensity or severity:
a
: accompanied by severe pain or suffering
a bitter death
b
: being relentlessly determined : vehement
a bitter partisan
c
: exhibiting intense animosity
bitter enemies
d(1)
: harshly reproachful
bitter complaints
(2)
: marked by cynicism and rancor
bitter contempt was still bitter about not being chosen
e
: intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness
a bitter wind
3
: caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret
bitter tears
bitter
nounDefinition of bitter (Entry 2 of 4)
1a
: bitter quality
… stepping outside your comfort zone and taking the bitter with the sweet.— James Poniewoziks
b
: the taste sensation that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and is characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or ale — compare salty entry 2, sour entry 2 sense 1b, sweet entry 3 sense 2, umami entry 1
2a
bitters\ ˈbi-tərz \ plural
: a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic (see tonic entry 1 sense 1b)
\ plural
: a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic (see tonic entry 1 sense 1b)
bitter
verb
bittered;
bittering;
bitters
Definition of bitter (Entry 3 of 4)
: to make bitter (see bitter entry 1)
bittered ale
bitter
adverbDefinition of bitter (Entry 4 of 4)
: to an intense or severe degree : to a bitter (see bitter entry 1) degree
It's bitter cold.
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Other Words from bitter
Adjective
bitterish
\ ˈbi-tə-rish
\
adjective
\
adjective
bitterly
adverb
bitterness
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for bitter
Synonyms: Adjective
acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of bitter in a Sentence
Adjective
Cocoa beans have a bitter flavor. The medicine had a bitter aftertaste. We were struck by the bitter irony of the situation. His betrayal had made her bitter. She was still bitter toward her ex-husband. He's the bitterest man I know.Noun
The cocktail recipe called for a dash of bitters. a good selection of bitters
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
In the winter, bitter inter-apartment battles are fought over the thermostat. — The Economist, "In the Baltic states, many people are stuck in Khrushchev-era flats," 17 Aug. 2019 With three weeks to go before a repeat election on Sept. 17, Netanyahu is fighting a bitter battle to stay in office and wants to appear strong to his fractured right-wing support base. — John Hudson, Ruth Eglash, Anchorage Daily News, "At Trump’s urging, Israel denies entry to Democratic congresswomen ahead of planned visit," 15 Aug. 2019 The tiny round beans flavor many of the dishes with a hint of sour and bitter, and make the spices spicier. — Flora Tsapovsky, Bon Appétit, "Meet the 24-Year-Old Owner of Eko Kitchen, San Francisco's First Nigerian Restaurant," 31 July 2019 After a bitter preservation battle, a St. Paul charter school will hold an open house for community members to honor the former St. Andrew’s Catholic Church on Sunday. — Jasmine Johnson, Twin Cities, "German Immersion school plans open house Sunday to ‘reflect and reconnect’ before St. Andrew’s Church demolition," 26 July 2019 For many on the French team, the semifinals and final will be particularly bitter, as they will be played in Lyon, the professional home to many of the starters. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "World Cup statement by Rapinoe and US women heard loud and clear," 28 June 2019 Even the glowing support that Triumph had received from Buckley and National Review quickly turned to bitter, public opposition. — Declan Leary, National Review, "Catholics vs. Libertarians in the 1960s," 11 June 2019 The university has now released email exchanges between Culverhouse and university officials showing the dispute as something else entirely — a bitter, personal feud between the University and one of the institution’s biggest donors. — al.com, "Culverhouse, UA feud was about ego, power and money, not Alabama’s abortion law," 9 June 2019 After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife. — Houston Chronicle, "Outside the Megaplex: Here are the Houston arthouse movies showing Aug. 2-8," 1 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds of the way with ice cubes, then add the lime juice, coconut cream and bitters. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 14 Aug. 2019 The Stevie Ray, with lemon, pineapple, ginger and maple, is enhanced with Angostura bitters. — Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "Shell & Bones: Unique summer cocktails, with or without booze, but always with a spectacular view," 12 July 2019 The drink consists of muddled blood oranges, blood orange bitters, sugar, bourbon and a splash of soda, garnished with a maraschino cherry and a ball of ice. — Weldon B. Johnson, azcentral, "Celebrate Arizona's role in the Apollo moon landing with anniversary-themed food, drinks and souvenirs," 1 July 2019 This grown-up shake triples down on the peach, in the form of ice cream, fresh fruit and bitters. — Becky Krystal, Washington Post, "If we had our way, we’d eat peaches every day. Here are 7 recipes to make the most of them.," 20 July 2019 The latter is a take on the favorite Indiana State Fair drink, only this one is spiked with vodka and lemon bitters. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Cake Bake Shop is finally open in Carmel, and it fulfills every sweet dream," 1 July 2019 Passion of the Spice: vodka, passionfruit, lemongrass, lime and hibiscus bitters. —