Word Explorer

Bitter

/ˈbɪtə/

(usually in the plural bitters) A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Bitter"

noun

1
(usually in the plural bitters) A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.
2
A type of beer heavily flavored with hops.
3
A turn of a cable about the bitts.

verb

1
To make bitter.

adjective

1
Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
"The coffee tasted bitter."
2
Harsh, piercing or stinging.
3
Hateful or hostile.
"They're bitter enemies."
4
Cynical and resentful.
"I've been bitter ever since that defeat."

🔄 Synonyms of "Bitter"

24 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
acerbic	(figurative) Sharp, harsh, biting.
causticnoun	Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.
virulent	(medicine) Of a disease or disease-causing agent: malignant, able to cause damage to the host.
acrid	Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not to the taste.
vitriolic	(figuratively) Bitterly scathing, caustic.
sorrowful	exhibiting sorrow; dejected; distraught; sad. (of a person)
venomous	Of an animal (specifically a snake) or parts of its body: producing venom (“a toxin intended for defensive or offensive use”) which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging; hence, of a bite or sting: injecting venom.
unpleasant	Not pleasant.
resentful	Harboring resentment, full of resentment, at a given moment.
acerb	(archaic, figurative) Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.
hostilenoun	Not friendly; appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence or a desire to thwart and injure.
acrimonious	(figuratively) Angry, acid, and sharp in delivering argumentative replies: bitter, mean-spirited, sharp in language or tone.
sulfurous	(American spelling) Containing sulfur.
intolerable	Not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured.
painful	Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
tasteful	Having or exhibiting good taste; aesthetically pleasing or conforming to expectations or ideals of what is appropriate.
bitternessnoun	The quality of having a bitter taste.
blisteringnoun	Very hot.
sulphurous	(chiefly British spelling) Alternative spelling of sulfurous. [(American spelling) Containing sulfur.]
acidnoun	(chemistry) Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.
bitingnoun	Causing a stinging sensation.
bitterly	In a bitter manner.
bitingly	In a biting manner.
piercingly	In a piercing manner.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Bitter"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
acerb	(archaic, figurative) Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.
acerbic	(figurative) Sharp, harsh, biting.
acrid	Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not to the taste.
acrimonious	(figuratively) Angry, acid, and sharp in delivering argumentative replies: bitter, mean-spirited, sharp in language or tone.
acidnoun	(chemistry) Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.
painful	Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
sorrowful	exhibiting sorrow; dejected; distraught; sad. (of a person)
resentful	Harboring resentment, full of resentment, at a given moment.
bitingly	In a biting manner.
hostile	Not friendly; appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence or a desire to thwart and injure.
biting	Causing a stinging sensation.
intolerable	Not tolerable; not capable of being borne or endured.
piercingly	In a piercing manner.
tasteful	Having or exhibiting good taste; aesthetically pleasing or conforming to expectations or ideals of what is appropriate.
unpleasant	Not pleasant.
causticnoun	Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.
blistering	Very hot.
venomous	Of an animal (specifically a snake) or parts of its body: producing venom (“a toxin intended for defensive or offensive use”) which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging; hence, of a bite or sting: injecting venom.
virulent	(medicine) Of a disease or disease-causing agent: malignant, able to cause damage to the host.
vitriolicnoun	(figuratively) Bitterly scathing, caustic.