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   Bit·ter

   /ˈbidər/

   

   adjective

   • 1. having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet: "the raw berries have an intensely bitter flavor" Similar sharpacidacidicpungentacridtartsourbitingharshunsweetenedvinegaryacetousacerbarchaic, technical:acerbicOpposite sweet
   • ▪ (of chocolate) dark and unsweetened.
   • 2. (of people or their feelings or behavior) angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment: "I don't feel jealous or bitter" Similar resentfulembitteredaggrieveddissatisfieddisgruntleddiscontentedgrudge-bearinggrudgingbegrudgingindignantrancorousspleneticspitefuljaundicedill-disposedsullensourchurlishmorosepetulantpeevishwith a chip on one's shoulderOpposite magnanimouscontent
   • ▪ (of a conflict, argument, or opponent) full of anger and acrimony: "a bitter five-year legal battle" Similar acrimoniousvirulentangryrancorousspitefulvindictiveviciousvitriolicsavagehostileferociousscathingantagonistichate-filledvenomouspoisonousacridbiliousnastyill-naturedmaligncholericOpposite amicable
   • 3. (often used for emphasis) painful or unpleasant to accept or contemplate: "today's decision has come as a bitter blow" Similar painfulunpleasantdisagreeablenastycruelawfuldistressingdisquietingdisturbingupsettingharrowingheartbreakingheart-rendingagonizingunhappymiserablewretchedsadpoignantgrievoustraumatictragicchillingmortifyinggallingvexatiousrare:distressfulOpposite welcome
   • 4. (of wind, cold, or weather) intensely cold: "a bitter wind blowing from the east" Similar intensely coldbitterly coldfreezingicyicy-coldarcticglacialfrostyfrigidchillypiercingpenetratingbitingnippingstingingsharpkeenrawharshwintryinformal:nippyparkyBalticliterary:chillOpposite warmbalmy

   noun

   • 1. beer that is strongly flavored with hops and has a bitter taste: British "a pint of bitter"
   • 2. liquor that is flavored with the sharp pungent taste of plant extracts and is used as an additive in cocktails or as a medicinal substance to promote appetite or digestion: "a dash of bitters"

   Word Origin Old Englishbiter, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German bitter, and probably to bite.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • B

     3

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

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   • R

     1

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