embitter

[ em-bit-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make bitter; cause to feel bitterness:

   Failure has embittered him.

   Synonyms: envenom, rankle, sour

2. to make bitter or more bitter in taste.

embitter

/ ɪmˈbɪtə /

verb

1. to make (a person) resentful or bitter
2. to aggravate (an already hostile feeling, difficult situation, etc)

Derived Forms

• emˈbitterer, noun
• emˈbitterment, noun
• emˈbittered, adjective

Other Words From

• em·bitter·er noun
• em·bitter·ment noun
• unem·bittered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embitter¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; em- ¹ + bitter

Example Sentences

“His experiences of discrimination in the Navy and in the housing market permanently embittered him,” Rothstein writes.

From Science News

That funding program embittered Workhorse leadership, said the three people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because both the Postal Service and its vendors are bound by nondisclosure agreements.

From Washington Post

Fortunately he did not live long enough after his brother hopelessly to embitter his daughter's youth.

From Project Gutenberg

If he did not at once forget the woman, the memory of his existence of luxury never returned to embitter him.

From Project Gutenberg

And I will embitter thy life, and poison it, first: and then I will take it away.

From Project Gutenberg

The final draft that would embitter his years was added the sixth night after the accident—the night that Henry died.

From Project Gutenberg

I would not, for the sake of my party and beliefs, embitter what remains of my old friend's life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aggravate
• annoy
• disaffect
• disillusion
• exacerbate
• exasperate
• irritate
• sour