bitterly
gb/bˈɪtɚli/ us/bˈɪtɚli/
B1
English
~ 3500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
In a way showing strong anger
In a way that shows you are very angry or upset.
Usage pattern:
[someone] bitterly [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bitterly' with 'badly' when describing emotions, but 'bitterly' refers to strong negative feelings, not poor quality.
Synonyms
resentfully (Similar in meaning but often less intense than 'bitterly'.)
Antonyms
graciously (Shows kindness and acceptance instead of anger or resentment.)
Collocations
bitterly complain
|bitterly resent
|bitterly oppose
|bitterly protest
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She bitterly complained about the unfair decision.
- He bitterly resented the way he was treated.
- They bitterly opposed the new law.
- The player bitterly protested the referee’s call.
Learner examples
- She bitterly complained to her boss.
- He bitterly hated the idea.
- They bitterly opposed the plan.
- He bitterly argued with his friend.
adverb
B2
property
2
In a way showing great sadness
In a way that shows you are very sad or hurt.
Usage pattern:
[someone] bitterly [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'very' with 'bitterly', but 'bitterly' already means 'very strongly'.
Synonyms
sorrowfully (Emphasizes sadness without necessarily implying resentment.)
Antonyms
joyfully (Expresses happiness instead of sadness or pain.)
Collocations
bitterly cry
|bitterly weep
|bitterly mourn
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She bitterly wept when she heard the news.
- He bitterly regretted his decision.
- They bitterly mourned their loss.
- She bitterly recalled the painful memory.
Learner examples
- She bitterly cried for hours.
- He bitterly missed his family.
- They bitterly remembered the accident.
- She bitterly regretted her choice.
adverb
B1
property
3
Extremely unpleasant due to cold
Very unpleasant because of very cold weather or wind.
Usage pattern:
bitterly [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'bitterly' with 'bit' or 'a little', but 'bitterly' here means extremely and unpleasantly.
Synonyms
severely (Can be used for cold but also other extreme conditions; less emotionally charged.)
Antonyms
mildly (Describes weather that is gentle and not extreme.)
Collocations
bitterly cold
|bitterly freezing
Themes
weather
|daily life
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It was bitterly cold outside.
- The wind blew bitterly across the plain.
- We walked home on a bitterly freezing night.
Learner examples
- It is bitterly cold today.
- The wind is blowing bitterly.
- We waited in the bitterly cold air.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bitterly
IPA
GB/bˈɪtɚli/
US/bˈɪtɚli/
Syllables & stress
bit - terly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bit)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bitterly
- Plural: bitterlies
Word family
Forms
bitterlies
noun
Core family
bitter
adjective A2
bitterness
noun B2
Related words
embitter
verb
embittered
adjective
Expressions
bitterly cold
1/bˈɪtɚli kˈoʊld/
fixed phrase
Extremely cold weather condition
Very, very cold weather that feels bad.
Examples
- It was bitterly cold this morning.
- The team played in bitterly cold conditions.
bitterly disappointed
1/bˈɪtɚli dˌɪsəpˈɔɪntɪd/
fixed phrase
Very unhappy about an outcome
Feeling very sad or unhappy because something did not happen as you wanted.
Examples
- She was bitterly disappointed when she failed the exam.
- We were bitterly disappointed with the final result.
bitterly oppose
1/bˈɪtɚli əpˈoʊz/
fixed phrase
Strongly disagree and try to stop something
To be very much against something and try to stop it.
Examples
- They bitterly opposed the new policy.
- Many residents bitterly opposed the construction plan.
bitterly regret
1/bˈɪtɚli ɹɪɡɹˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Feel deep regret about something
To feel very sorry about something you did or that happened.
Examples
- He bitterly regretted not telling her the truth.
- I bitterly regret my decision.