bitter irony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitter irony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a sharp contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs, often with a sense of sadness or regret. Example: "It was a bitter irony that the fire station burned down while the firefighters were responding to another emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a bitter irony.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a bitter irony here.

The New York Times

That's not some bitter irony.

The Washington Post

There is a bitter irony in it.

The Guardian

Apologies for the bitter irony of that.

The Guardian

Those with an adolescent's ear for injustice recognized bitter irony.

The New York Times

That is a bitter irony for families back home.

The New York Times

A bitter irony, given the end that awaits her.

The Guardian

You can say that seriously, or with bitter irony.

The Guardian - Books

There is a bitter irony this year, he adds.

The Guardian

The movie's conventional political nods are laced with bitter irony.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitter irony" to highlight situations where the outcome is the opposite of what was expected, especially when this leads to a negative or unfortunate result. This adds depth and emotional resonance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "bitter irony" too frequently, as it can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations where the contrast is genuinely striking and meaningful to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

"Bitter irony" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of irony, one that carries a strong sense of disappointment, regret, or negativity. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to highlight unfortunate or contradictory situations. Ludwig AI indicates correct usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitter irony" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation characterized by a stark and unfortunate contrast between expectation and reality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correctly used. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight painful or disappointing twists of events. When using "bitter irony", ensure that the situation genuinely warrants the strong negative connotation. Alternatives such as "poignant irony" or "cruel twist of fate" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context. By understanding its function and register, you can effectively use "bitter irony" to add depth and emotional resonance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tragic irony

Similar to "bitter irony" but strongly emphasizes the tragic aspect.

poignant irony

Replaces "bitter" with "poignant", emphasizing the emotional impact of the irony.

cruel twist of fate

Shifts the focus to fate as the agent causing the ironic situation, highlighting its harshness.

painful incongruity

Focuses on the lack of harmony and the discomfort it causes.

unfortunate contradiction

Replaces "irony" with "contradiction", focusing on the conflicting elements of the situation.

unhappy reversal

Highlights the change in fortune or situation from good to bad.

sad paradox

Substitutes "irony" with "paradox", emphasizing the self-contradictory nature of the situation and its emotional impact.

wretched coincidence

Emphasizes the accidental and unfortunate nature of the event.

harsh reality

Replaces the entire concept with a direct statement of unpleasant truth, losing the nuance of irony.

unpalatable truth

Directly refers to the truth's unpleasant nature, bypassing the ironic element.

FAQs

How to use "bitter irony" in a sentence?

Use "bitter irony" to describe a situation where there's a stark contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs, often with negative consequences. For example, "It's a "bitter irony" that the fire station burned down while the firefighters were out on a call".

What can I say instead of "bitter irony"?

You can use alternatives like "poignant irony", "tragic irony", or "cruel twist of fate" depending on the specific context and the emotional tone you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "bitter irony"?

While irony inherently involves a contrast, the adjective "bitter" emphasizes the negative or unfortunate aspect of the situation, highlighting the disappointment or pain associated with the unexpected outcome. Thus, it's not necessarily redundant if you want to stress that aspect.

What's the difference between "bitter irony" and sarcasm?

"Bitter irony" describes a situation, while sarcasm is a form of verbal expression. Sarcasm uses irony to mock or convey contempt, often through words that mean the opposite of what the speaker intends. "Bitter irony" exists independently of a speaker's intention.