embittered

/ɪmˈbɪtərd/

Say it: im-BIT-erd

adjective Feeling or showing anger, resentment, and cynicism as a result of painful or unfair experiences.
He became an embittered old man, trusting no one after the betrayal.
🇪🇸 amargado

📖 Seen in the wild

The whole thing precisely was, the greatest nastiness precisely lay in my being shamefully conscious every moment, even in moments of the greatest bile, that I was not only not a wicked but was not even an embittered man, that I was simply frightening sparrows in vain, and pleasing myself with it.
collected by @missha

✏️ embittered in a sentence

The long and embittered strike finally came to an end, but tensions remained high.
After being passed over for the promotion, she felt deeply embittered and started looking for a new job.
The novel's protagonist is an embittered war veteran struggling to find his place in the world.
Years of political infighting left the party fractured and its members embittered.
She grew embittered by the constant criticism and lack of support from her family.
He tried not to sound embittered, but the injustice of the situation was clear in his voice.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

resentful cynical jaded disgruntled soured acrimonious rancorous vindictive

resentful · focuses on the feeling of indignant displeasure over being treated unfairly.

cynical · emphasizes a distrust of others' motives, often born from disappointment.

jaded · suggests weariness and a loss of enthusiasm from overexposure to something negative.

disgruntled · implies a more sullen, discontented state, often related to a specific grievance.

Opposites: content, forgiving, hopeful, magnanimous, cheerful

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the verb 'embitter', formed from the prefix 'em-' (meaning 'to cause to be') and the adjective 'bitter'. To embitter someone is literally to make them feel bitter. This metaphorical use, referring to feelings of sorrow and resentment rather than taste, has been part of English for centuries.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

embittered by defeatan embittered old manembittered and cynicala long and embittered disputeto feel embittered

'Embittered' carries a strong, negative connotation of deep seated resentment that has developed over time. It is a heavier word than 'angry' or 'disappointed', suggesting that a negative experience has permanently soured a person's outlook. While 'bitter' can describe a fleeting feeling, 'embittered' implies a more lasting state of being, a personality trait shaped by hardship or injustice.

Word family: embitter, embitterment, bitter, bitterness

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be embittered?

To be embittered means to feel angry, resentful, and hurt because of past negative experiences or unfair treatment. It suggests a lasting change in a person's attitude, making them cynical or hostile.

What's the difference between 'embittered' and 'resentful'?

While similar, 'embittered' suggests a deeper, more pervasive state where bitterness has colored one's entire personality. 'Resentful' often focuses on a specific grievance, while an embittered person feels a more general bitterness toward the world.

Can a situation be embittered?

Yes, the word can describe situations, not just people. An 'embittered dispute' or 'embittered debate' is one filled with anger, hostility, and resentment between the parties involved.

Is 'embittered' a strong word?

Yes, 'embittered' is a strong word that describes a profound and lasting negative emotional state. It implies more than simple sadness or anger; it suggests a personality soured by experience.

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