embittered

IPA/ɛmbˈɪtəd/
KK[ɛmbˈɪtɚd]IPA/ɛmbˈɪtərd/

embittered — adjective

1. feeling deeply angry and unhappy because repeated unfair treatment, loss, or dis

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

feeling deeply angry and unhappy because repeated unfair treatment, loss, or disappointment has stayed with you for a long time

Example

Hao sounded embittered after the company ignored his injury claim for months.

sound + embittered after long unfair treatment

After years in the camp, Esteban grew embittered by every promise of release.

grow embittered by + repeated disappointment

Common collocations
  • deeply embittered
  • grow embittered
  • remain embittered
  • embittered by injustice
  • embittered over pension cuts
Synonyms
  • bitter

    broader and more common; can describe resentment without the same sense of long unfair treatment shaping the person

  • resentful

    focuses more directly on a grudge against someone or something specific

  • cynical

    shifts toward distrust of people or systems rather than hurt that has hardened into resentment

Antonyms
  • forgiving

    able to let go of the hurt instead of holding on to resentment

  • hopeful

    still expecting improvement instead of being hardened by disappointment

Grammar Patterns

be embittered by + noun

be embittered over + noun

grow/become embittered after + event

Usage Note

Usually describes a feeling that has built up over time, not a brief reaction to one small problem. It often appears with 'by' or 'over' to name the experience that caused the resentment.

Common Mistakes

I felt embittered because the bus was late.
I felt annoyed because the bus was late.
embittered suggests deep, lasting resentment, not a brief everyday irritation.
The tea is embittered.
The tea is bitter.' / 'The tea has turned bitter.
embittered usually describes a person's emotional state, not the taste of food or drink.

embittered — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Embittered, bitter, resentful, cynical, and disillusioned all describe negative reactions to hurt or disappointment, but they point to different results. Embittered suggests long unfair treatment has changed a person's whole attitude; the feeling is deep and lasting. Bitter is broader and more common, so someone can be bitter about one loss without sounding permanently hardened. Resentful points more directly to a grudge against a person, duty, or decision. Cynical moves away from hurt and toward distrust, especially the belief that people or systems will act selfishly. Disillusioned means losing faith after reality proves worse than expected, often with more sadness than anger. A worker may feel embittered by years of broken promises, resentful toward one manager, cynical about politics, and disillusioned with the company.

embittered ↗bitter ↗resentfulcynical ↗disillusioned ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The core word bitter comes from Old English. English later formed the verb embitter by adding the prefix em-/en-, which here means causing something to enter a state. From that verb came embittered, first used for making something taste bitter and later, more often, for leaving a person hardened by unfair treatment, loss, or repeated disappointment.