bitterness
/ˈbɪtənəs
/noun
1Sharpness of taste; lack of sweetness: the lime juice imparts a slight bitterness...
- A beer in which neither the sweetness of the malt nor the bitterness of the hops predominates.
- The Chaudron Ale Quebecoise is a clear straw color with a very light pale malt flavor with pronounced hop bitterness.
- However, supertasters may also snub vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, because they can detect a slight bitterness in their flavor as well.
Synonyms
sharpness, acidity, pungency, acridity, tartness, sourness, harshness, vinegariness, acerbity
resentment, resentfulness, embitteredness, dissatisfaction, disgruntlement, discontent, grudge, pique, indignation, sourness, rancour, spite, sullenness, churlishness, moroseness, petulance, peevishness, spleen, acrimony
trauma, pain, painfulness, agony, grief;
unpleasantness, disagreeableness, nastiness, awfulness;
upset, heartache, heartbreak, unhappiness, misery, wretchedness, sorrow, sadness, distress, desolation, despair, desperation, poignancy, tragedy
intense cold, bitter cold, iciness, frostiness, chilliness, chill;
penetration, intensity, bite, nip, sting, sharpness, keenness, rawness, harshness, wintriness
British informal parkiness
acrimony, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, enmity, animus, friction, virulence, anger, rancour, spite, spitefulness, vindictiveness, viciousness, vitriol, savagery, ferocity, hate, hatred, loathing, detestation, venom, poison, bile, nastiness, ill feeling, ill will, bad blood, malignity, malevolence
literary or archaic choler
2Anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment: he expressed bitterness over his dismissal without notice...
- Meanwhile the weavers' strike still continued in all its bitterness.
- That night of July 18, 1914, the immortal Darcy seemed to feel the bitterness of defeat less than his supporters did.
- Me, I'd be curled up in a fetal position in bed, railing against the bitterness of life.