bitterly hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

"bitterly hurt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be deeply and emotionally upset or wounded. Example: After being betrayed by her best friend, Sarah felt bitterly hurt and struggled to trust anyone again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, in Slipstream she wrote that when she ended her affair with Day-Lewis, "he was bitterly hurt, resentful, called me a whore".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It hurt bitterly to have those beliefs challenged".

The New York Times - Magazine

In his warbling rendition of "The Taking of Tiger Mountain," a 1950s revolutionary opera song, the 56-year-old Bi inserted some sharp commentary, including referring to the founding father of Communist China as a "son of a bitch" and remarking that "he really hurt us bitterly".

Los Angeles Times

I really badly hurt and cry bitterly most days for what seems like a second loss.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you," she bitterly wrote Hillary.

Huffington Post

The drug stores have bitterly opposed that plan, saying it would hurt them financially.

The New York Times

Foreign companies bitterly complain that they would be badly hurt by a provision that is supposed to penalize companies that try to avoid United States taxes by making interest payments to their foreign parents.

The New York Times

The closer the result the more bitter the defeated side will feel, and it will hurt to see a country which I call home so bitterly divided.

Independent

The text turns out to be a bitterly critical exposé and, in response to his editor, Davenne explains that they were formerly close friends but that Massigny, in the interest of his public life (as a politician) turned on him, betrayed him — "he's the man who hurt me most of all".

The New Yorker

It hurt!

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Obviously, it hurts fans but as players we're bitterly disappointed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitterly hurt" to convey a sense of deep emotional pain combined with resentment or disappointment. It's stronger than simply "hurt" and implies a sense of injustice or betrayal.

Common error

Avoid using "bitterly" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone seem overly dramatic or negative. Consider using synonyms like "deeply", "profoundly", or "intensely" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitterly hurt" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a past participle. The adverb "bitterly" intensifies the verb "hurt", indicating the degree or intensity of the emotional pain experienced. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitterly hurt" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express deep emotional pain, often mixed with resentment. While relatively rare in overall usage, as determined by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using the phrase, be mindful of the strong emotion it conveys and consider synonyms if a less intense expression is desired. Avoid overuse of "bitterly" to maintain a balanced and credible tone in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitterly disappointed

Similar in structure but emphasizes disappointment over hurt.

deeply wounded

Focuses on the emotional injury, implying a significant impact on one's feelings.

resentful and wounded

Combines the feelings of resentment and emotional injury.

profoundly affected

Emphasizes the depth of the emotional impact, suggesting a lasting change.

sorely aggrieved

Highlights the feeling of being wronged or unjustly treated, adding a layer of resentment.

intensely saddened

Focuses on the feeling of sadness, emphasizing the high degree of sorrow.

grievously harmed

Emphasizes the severe nature of the emotional damage.

sharply disappointed

Highlights the feeling of letdown, emphasizing the high degree of disappointment.

extremely upset

Focuses on the emotional distress, suggesting a state of agitation and unease.

badly stung

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the emotional pain.

FAQs

What does "bitterly hurt" mean?

"Bitterly hurt" means to experience deep emotional pain, often accompanied by feelings of resentment or disappointment.

Is "bitterly hurt" the same as "bitterly disappointed"?

While both phrases express strong negative emotions, "bitterly hurt" focuses on the pain of emotional injury, whereas "bitterly disappointed" focuses on the pain of unmet expectations.

What are some synonyms for "bitterly hurt"?

Some alternatives include "deeply wounded", "profoundly affected", or "sorely aggrieved", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "bitterly hurt" in a sentence?

You can use "bitterly hurt" to describe someone's reaction to a betrayal, rejection, or other emotionally painful event. For example: "She was bitterly hurt by his lies."