1
a
: 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
1
a
: bitter quality
… stepping outside your comfort zone and taking the bitter with the sweet.—
James Poniewoziks
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
2
a
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)
b
British
: a very dry (see dry entry 1 sense 7b) heavily hopped ale
: to an intense or severe degree : to a bitter (see bitter entry 1) degree
It's bitter cold.
Synonyms
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
The Week Uk, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
On the eve of the election, amid a bitter chill, Marisela Olvera, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, rapped on doors in North Las Vegas to make her pitch.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Siren's Song: Whiskey, rum and sherry join pineapple, lime and Caribbean bitters for a spooky island effect.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
Eric Velasco, al, 23 Apr. 2020
This grape is extremely approachable, with lots of fruit flavor and balanced dryness, due to the low tannins, which are the drying or bittering agent in many wines.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 7 Nov. 2019
Chris Gorski, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2023
This mutation might even be an evolutionary remnant of a once-crucial survival mechanism to avoid bitter-tasting toxic plants and animals.
—Kareem Clark, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2021
See all Example Sentences for bitter 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
That will come as a bitter blow to the workers affected.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
On the eve of the election, amid a bitter chill, Marisela Olvera, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, rapped on doors in North Las Vegas to make her pitch.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
What to order: Signature drinks like the Cantaloupe Gibson, made with pisco, cantaloupe, manzanilla sherry, grapefruit bitters and rose water, pull a boozy, yet deliciously refreshing punch.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Siren's Song: Whiskey, rum and sherry join pineapple, lime and Caribbean bitters for a spooky island effect.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
Most Beach Club beers, like Mango Colada with coconut and lime, have minimal amounts of bittering hops.
—Eric Velasco, al, 23 Apr. 2020
This grape is extremely approachable, with lots of fruit flavor and balanced dryness, due to the low tannins, which are the drying or bittering agent in many wines.
—Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 7 Nov. 2019
Adverb
To see whether an individual’s diet affects the composition of its saliva, researchers gathered saliva from rats habituated to a diet including bitter-tasting quinine.
—Chris Gorski, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2023
This mutation might even be an evolutionary remnant of a once-crucial survival mechanism to avoid bitter-tasting toxic plants and animals.
—Kareem Clark, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2021
See all Example Sentences for bitter
Articles Related to bitter
Dictionary Entries Near bitter
Cite this Entry
“Bitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bitter. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bitter
adjective
bit·ter
ˈbit-ər
: being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops compare salt entry 2 sense 2, sour entry 1, sweet entry 1
bitterness
noun
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