bitter

Noun · Verb · Adjective · Adverb
Synonyms: bitternessacrimoniousacerbacerbicacidacridblisteringcausticsulfuroussulphurousvirulentvitriolic

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
  2. the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouthSynonyms: bitterness
  3. the property of having a harsh unpleasant tasteSynonyms: bitterness

Verb (1)

  1. make bitter

Adjective (7)

  1. marked by strong resentment or cynicism“an acrimonious dispute”“bitter about the divorce”Synonyms: acrimonious
  2. very difficult to accept or bear“the bitter truth”“a bitter sorrow”
  3. harsh or corrosive in tone“an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose”“a barrage of acid comments”“her acrid remarks make her many enemies”“bitter words”“blistering criticism”“caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics”“a sulfurous denunciation”“a vitriolic critique”Synonyms: acerbacerbicacidacridblisteringcausticsulfuroussulphurousvirulentvitriolic
  4. expressive of severe grief or regret“shed bitter tears”
  5. proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity“a bitter struggle”“bitter enemies”
  6. causing a sharp and acrid taste experience;"quinine is bitter"
  7. causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold“bitter cold”“a biting wind”Synonyms: biting

Adverb (1)

  1. extremely and sharply“it was bitterly cold”“bitter cold”Synonyms: piercinglybitterlybitingly
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Bitter \Bit"ter\, n. [See Bitts.] (Naut.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts. [1913 Webster]

Bitter end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor. [1913 Webster]

Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.]

1.Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes. [1913 Webster]

2.Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day. [1913 Webster]

3.Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. [1913 Webster]

It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God.— Jer. ii. 19.[1913 Webster]

4.Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. [1913 Webster]

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.— Col. iii. 19.[1913 Webster]

5.Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. [1913 Webster]

The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage.— Ex. i. 14.[1913 Webster]

Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth.

Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine amara.

Bitter earth (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.

Bitter principles (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.

Bitter salt, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.

Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia.

To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious. [1913 Webster]

Bitter \Bit"ter\, n. Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters. [1913 Webster]
Bitter \Bit"ter\, v. t. To make bitter. --Wolcott. [1913 Webster]
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