as in to anger
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring
a misunderstanding that soured their relationship for a long time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in acidic
causing or characterized by the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids
the sour candy made our mouths all wrinkly inside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
you'll have to face up to the sour truth of the matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
things started off well, but now it's all gone sour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sour
Danielle Bacher, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The initial proposal approved by the NEA’s delegates offered a striking example of a growing shift away from the ADL by progressives who have soured during the war in Gaza at the organization’s staunch pro-Israel activism and advocacy that treats much criticism of Israel as antisemitism.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
The film, which premiered at Karlovy Vary, has been praised at international festivals for its observant portrayal of a relationship going sour.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Verb
That relationship soured when Trump entered the political arena.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The initial proposal approved by the NEA’s delegates offered a striking example of a growing shift away from the ADL by progressives who have soured during the war in Gaza at the organization’s staunch pro-Israel activism and advocacy that treats much criticism of Israel as antisemitism.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Sweet finalists The candy lemon sour face is a frozen, candy dipped lemon with sweet and sour candies.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
The film, which premiered at Karlovy Vary, has been praised at international festivals for its observant portrayal of a relationship going sour.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sour
Verb
-
In fact, Martineau’s sign angered plenty of Democrats, some of whom were already worried that smug liberal activists are harming the party.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired a general whose agency’s initial intelligence assessment of damage to Iranian nuclear sites from U.S. strikes angered President Donald Trump, according to two people familiar with the decision and a White House official.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Water rich in hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide continues to percolate through the rock, creating a mildly acidic cocktail that eats at the walls.—
Jennifer Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
-
For generations, smart cooks have used acidic tomatoes to help soften thick bean hulls.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
A couple who had moved into a new apartment a couple of hours earlier got an unpleasant surprise after returning from a celebratory dinner.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Why Connection Counts Feeling cut off is more than unpleasant.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Hertz’s 10-month delay in contacting you is unacceptable and likely violates their own policies for handling claims efficiently.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
28 Aug. 2025
-
By the federal government’s own standards, USAID’s fire sale is unacceptable.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In ever more apocalyptic language, Trump has sought to unify his MAGA movement with strongman pledges to defend Americans from millions of hostile foreigners seeking to storm the country and to root out enemy aliens within.—
Julia Preston,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Oct. 2024
-
The film follows a ragtag group of actors (played by Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, among other stars) from an ‘80s sci-fi series who aliens unexpectedly abduct during a convention appearance.—
Matt Juul,
BostonGlobe.com,
7 July 2023
Adjective
-
From lo-fi hip-hop to chamber pop, from acid funk to orchestral rock, the fingerprints remain.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
-
The floors are done in chestnut-toned wood, with acid green carpets made from bamboo silk, while the VVIP suite has its own private sitting room.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Marie Callender’s Pastry Pie Shells: This crumbly frozen pie crust had a texture more like shortbread with no buttery flakes in sight, and its bitter aftertaste didn’t leave us wanting more.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Bright, intense purple; aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate, myrtle and a hint of tobacco.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One wrong step sent Luhn hurtling down the side of the mountain.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Some Republicans, like Newsom rival Rep. Kiley, argue that all mid-decade redistricting – whether in Texas, California or some other state – is wrong.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sour. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share