embitter

1 of 2

verb

em·​bit·​ter im-ˈbi-tər How to pronounce embitter (audio)
embittered; embittering; embitters
Synonyms of embitternext

transitive verb

1
: to excite bitter feelings in
embittered by divorce
2
: to make bitter
embitterment
im-ˈbi-tər-mənt How to pronounce embitter (audio)
noun

embitterment

2 of 2

noun

em·​bit·​ter·​ment |ə(r)mənt How to pronounce embitterment (audio)
plural -s
: the act of embittering or state of being embittered
the embitterment that followed his father's needless death persisted for years

Synonyms of embitter

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Verb

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Examples of embitter in a Sentence

Verb The soldier was embittered by the war. the family refused to let their devastating collision with a drunk driver permanently embitter them
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Alito came out a winner, but still embittered. — Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Most aficionados agree that Monopoly, if not a bad game, is at the very least designed to embitter its players. — Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023 Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Through those years, Nuggets fans have grown increasingly embittered by Embiid’s absences in Denver, where the teams meet once every season. — Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embitter

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of embitter was in the 15th century

Rhymes for embitter

See All Rhymes for embitter

Browse Nearby Words

embira
embitter
embitterer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embitter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

embitter

verb
em·​bit·​ter im-ˈbit-ər How to pronounce embitter (audio)
: to make bitter
especially : to cause bitter feeling in
embitterment
-mənt How to pronounce embitter (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on embitter

Nglish: Translation of embitter for Spanish Speakers

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