bitter disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitter disappointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction due to unmet expectations or hopes. Example: "After months of preparation, the team's failure to win the championship was a bitter disappointment for everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bitter disappointment every time.

The Guardian - Opinion

He brought bitter disappointment.

The New Yorker

They were a bitter disappointment.

The Economist

A bitter disappointment.

The Guardian - Music

On French television, commentators expressed bitter disappointment.

The New York Times

Then it was on to the shootout, and bitter disappointment.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it went from pure excitement to bitter disappointment.

Independent

But the near-unanimous verdict in Israel was bitter disappointment.

The Economist

For Dortmund fans, Götze's departure is a bitter disappointment.

The New York Times

And I remember the bitter disappointment and resentment that followed.

Independent

The legacy of the legacy has been bitter disappointment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitter disappointment" to express a strong feeling of sadness and disillusionment, particularly when expectations were high or the outcome had significant personal meaning. For example, "The cancellation of the event was a "bitter disappointment" to the fans."

Common error

While "bitter disappointment" is a powerful phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "disappointing" or "a letdown" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitter disappointment" functions as a noun phrase that describes a strong negative emotion. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe feelings about sports outcomes, political events, and personal failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Sport

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitter disappointment" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of sadness and disillusionment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in news, sports, and general contexts to describe outcomes that fall far short of expectations. While highly appropriate for formal and neutral settings, it can also be used in casual conversation, though simpler alternatives may sometimes be preferable. If you're looking for alternatives, consider "deep disappointment" or "profound disappointment" to convey similar sentiments. Overall, mastering "bitter disappointment" enhances your ability to express complex emotions with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep disappointment

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling, focusing on the depth of the letdown.

profound disappointment

Highlights the intellectual and emotional depth of the negative experience.

great letdown

Focuses on the feeling of being significantly failed or underserved by an outcome.

crushing disappointment

Suggests a severe and emotionally damaging degree of frustration.

acute disillusionment

Implies a painful loss of faith or trust in something previously valued.

grievous setback

Stresses the adverse impact of an event on progress or aspirations.

intense regret

Focuses more on the feeling of remorse or sorrow over something that has happened or been done.

severe blow

Highlights the shock and negative consequences of an unexpected event.

painful setback

Highlights the unpleasantness of the frustration.

abject failure

Emphasizes the complete lack of success and the accompanying sense of humiliation.

FAQs

How can I use "bitter disappointment" in a sentence?

You can use "bitter disappointment" to describe a situation or outcome that caused deep sadness and frustration, such as, "Losing the final game was a "bitter disappointment" for the team".

What phrases are similar to "bitter disappointment"?

Alternatives include "deep disappointment", "profound disappointment", or "crushing disappointment", depending on the intensity you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "bitter disappointment" in formal writing?

Yes, "bitter disappointment" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express a strong sense of disillusionment. However, ensure the tone matches the overall context and audience.

What is the difference between "bitter disappointment" and "slight disappointment"?

"Bitter disappointment" suggests a much stronger and more profound negative emotion than "slight disappointment", which implies only a minor feeling of dissatisfaction.