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bitterness

bitterness

75 3.4
A strong feeling of anger and hurt toward someone
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪtərnəs/
translation icon : rencor
  • The bitterness of his words revealed his deep resentment toward the situation.
  • bitterness and anger
  • bitterness and hostility
  • bitterness and mistrust

I have felt that same sense of bitterness in recent months.

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Examples

  • She expressed her bitterness about the unfair treatment she received at work.

  • There was always a note of bitterness in her voice when she spoke of Hadley's father.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I have felt that same sense of bitterness in recent months.

  • There is a little bit of bitterness about it, all of that.

  • There was great bitterness against the draft that summer.

  • I will not deny the bitterness at a point in my life.

  • Cook answered, full of bitterness and regret.

  • For without unity there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.

  • How can a Southerner feel anything but bitterness toward your side?

  • Did you feel any bitterness or resentment?

Synonyms

anger
vsbitterness
957 1.0

A very strong feeling of being upset or annoyed

is the specific kind of deep resentment or harshness rather than general displeasure
resentment
vsbitterness
172 4.2

A long, strong feeling of anger toward someone who treated you unfairly

is broader, covering deep anger or harsh attitude beyond unfairness
grudge
vsbitterness
148 4.3

A long-lasting feeling of anger or dislike because of a past hurt

is broader, also covering present harsh attitudes not tied to past wrongs
hostility
vsbitterness
147 4.7

Unfriendly or angry actions and feelings toward someone

also includes inward bitter feelings and a harsh inner attitude
animosity
vsbitterness
57 6.1

Strong angry feeling toward a person or group

may be less active, including quiet resentment or a harsh attitude
ire
vsbitterness
  • Formal
22 7.9

Strong anger you feel when someone does something unfair

can be deeper and more lasting rather than just sudden intensity
venom
vsbitterness
22 7.3

A strong feeling of anger that makes you want to hurt others

is broader, including harsh attitude without wishing harm
animus
vsbitterness
19 9.0

A strong feeling of hate toward someone or something

is broader, also covering harsh attitude and deep personal resentment
enmity
vsbitterness
16 8.0

A strong feeling of hatred toward people or groups

covers milder or inward harsh feelings as well as open hatred
rancor
vsbitterness
  • Formal
15 8.4

A strong long-lasting feeling of anger and bitterness toward someone

is similar but can be temporary or less focused on duration
acrimony
vsbitterness
10 8.8

A bitter, angry feeling shown in words or actions

focuses on the feeling itself rather than only on manner or tone
gall
vsbitterness
1 7.4

A deep bitter anger you feel after being hurt

is the general feeling that may not target specific actions
deep-seated anger
vsbitterness
1 4.9

Strong anger that stays inside someone for a long time

includes that but also covers less fixed or newer harsh feelings
indignance
vsbitterness
1 7.2

A strong feeling of anger when something seems unfair

is broader, including deep resentment or harsh attitude beyond that cause
ressentiment
vsbitterness
  • Formal
1 9.9

A deep, lasting feeling of bitterness and anger about being treated unfairly

is wider, including ordinary anger or a harsh manner as well
acerbity
vsbitterness
1 9.8

A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people

is the underlying emotional state that causes such a harsh tone
sourness
vsbitterness
1 4.0

A feeling of anger and bitterness after a disagreement

can be more active and deeply angry rather than just sullen mood
embitterment
vsbitterness
7.5

A lasting feeling of anger and hurt because of unfair treatment

is the emotional label that can be less about a lasting state
heartburning
vsbitterness
  • Archaic
9.9

Feeling angry and jealous when someone else succeeds

is general anger or harshness, not specifically linked to envy
maror
vsbitterness
  • Literature
9.9

A feeling of deep hurt and anger about past wrongs

is the plain emotional sense rather than a literary quality
tartness
vsbitterness
5.6

A sharp, cutting way of speaking that sounds rude

is the deeper emotional resentment behind a cutting manner
aggrievement
vsbitterness
9.0

A feeling of being treated unfairly

is the fuller emotional response that may include anger or harshness

Antonyms

333 2.2

An act of letting go of anger toward someone after they hurt you

26 2.1

A feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life

4 1.0

A happy mood that makes you smile and helps others feel good

How Bitter

hatred
394 1.9
rancor
  • Formal
15 8.4
resentment
172 4.2
bitterness
75 3.4
annoyance
26 2.8

Surface Forms

bitterness singular
bitternesses plural

Morphology

bitterness = bitter (transparent) = bitter + ness

Formation from the adjectival sense 'bitter' (resentful/harsh) using the productive suffix '-ness' to name the state or quality.

Etymology

Bitterness originally described a bad taste from bitter, which is related to the simple word bite, and people later used the same image for a feeling that 'leaves a bad taste' in the mind. So emotional bitterness means deep anger or hurt that stays with you.