bitterly said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitterly said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey that something was said with a strong sense of bitterness or resentment, often in response to a negative situation. Example: "She bitterly said that she would never trust him again after what he did."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Lots of people remember this road bitterly," said Yusuf Mahmoud, who owns a small market nearby.

The New York Times

One of the states is Florida, of course, and many Democrats have bitterly said that all of the recent chad counting and judicial jousting would have been unnecessary if Mr. Nader had heeded their October pleas and quit the race.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He disputes that label bitterly, saying he is a law-and-order absolutist who opposes only illegal immigration, and his critics are sympathetic to lawbreakers.

The New York Times

"That's rich," Warren bitterly says of Hoover's grandstanding.

Los Angeles Times

"We are bitterly, bitterly disappointed," said McNamara, who is now out of contract.

BBC

"I'm bitterly disappointed," said Ally McCoist, Rangers' assistant manager.

The Guardian - Sport

Kazakhstan is also landlocked and can be bitterly cold, said Doug Goehring, the state's agricultural commissioner.

The New York Times

"The debate over the Iraq war was bitterly contentious," said Bob Kerrey, a former Democratic senator from Nebraska and, like Mr. Hagel, a Vietnam veteran.

The New York Times

Her marriage ended bitterly, she said, when she discovered that he was having an affair — and buying another woman duplicates of gifts he bought for Ms. Dewey.

The New York Times

"I am bitterly disappointed," said Freedman, whose side lost their opening league fixture at Brighton on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

Bitterly, she said she had never received even an offer of counseling from USA Cycling or any other organization.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, consider how the character's feelings influence their speech. Using "bitterly said" is a direct way to convey that a character's words are laden with negativity.

Common error

Avoid using "bitterly said" when the context doesn't warrant strong negative emotions. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic or inconsistent with the overall tone. If the situation calls for something less intense, consider alternatives like "said with disappointment" or simply "said".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitterly said" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb of speaking. It specifies the manner in which something was said, indicating a tone filled with resentment, disappointment, or anger. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used to add emotional depth to reported speech.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitterly said" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a statement delivered with a strong sense of negativity. According to Ludwig, while not overly common, the phrase appears mainly in news and media to convey emotions like resentment or disappointment. Remember to consider the context and potential for melodrama when using this phrase, and explore synonyms like "stated resentfully" or "said with bitterness" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said with bitterness

Rephrases the original phrase using a prepositional phrase instead of an adverb.

stated resentfully

Emphasizes the feeling of resentment behind the statement, changing the adverb and verb.

remarked acrimoniously

Conveys a higher degree of bitterness and sharpness in the remark, using different vocabulary.

commented with disdain

Highlights the feeling of scorn or contempt in the comment, altering the adverb and verb.

observed with resentment

Focuses on the feeling of injustice or grievance in the observation, using different vocabulary.

expressed sourly

Indicates a disagreeable or unpleasant expression, using a different adverb.

retorted indignantly

Highlights the feeling of anger and surprise caused by something unfair, using a stronger verb.

declared with animosity

Emphasizes the hostility or strong dislike in the declaration, using different vocabulary.

intoned with resentment

Highlights the tone of the voice when expressing resentment, using a different verb.

uttered with displeasure

Focuses on the lack of satisfaction or approval in the utterance, using different vocabulary.

FAQs

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

"Bitterly said" is used to describe someone speaking with bitterness or resentment. For example, "It was a joke," he "said bitterly".

What are some synonyms for "bitterly said"?

Alternatives to "bitterly said" include "stated resentfully", "remarked acrimoniously", or "commented with disdain", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "bitterly said"?

Yes, "bitterly said" is grammatically correct. The adverb "bitterly" modifies the verb "said", indicating the manner in which something was spoken.

What is the difference between "bitterly said" and "said with bitterness"?

"Bitterly said" is a more concise way of saying "said with bitterness". Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "bitterly said" is more direct.