embitter

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to excite bitter feelings in
embittered by divorce
2
: to make bitter
embitterment noun

Examples of embitter in a Sentence

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.
Beginning in the wake of Toby Fleishman’s divorce, the series appears at first to be very uncomplicated, with the angry, embittered Toby (Jesse Eisenberg) rebounding his way through New York City while ranting about his workaholic ex-wife, Rachel (Claire Danes). Lindsay Kusiak, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2023 But with Republicans gaining control of the House and governor’s mansion the following year, that effort has since gone nowhere — embittering some unions against those who blocked it. Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 9 June 2023 But she’s embittered by the long-ago loss of her two children — Paloma, a baseball fan and labor union organizer who disappeared without a trace 40 years ago, and Santiago, a U.S. Army corporal, who was hit by a car. San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2023 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 See all Example Sentences for embitter 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near embitter

Cite this Entry

“Embitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embitter. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on embitter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!