bitterness about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitterness about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of resentment or disappointment regarding a specific situation or topic. Example: "She felt a deep bitterness about the way she was treated at her previous job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Karim couldn't help expressing bitterness about this.

The New Yorker

You develop bitterness about the world.

The New Yorker

Lower-income residents complain with increasing bitterness about house prices.

The Economist

He appears to harbour no bitterness about his fate.

Independent

The proposal was rejected but there's no bitterness about this.

Independent

There is lingering bitterness about his stormy departure from Boston.

The New York Times

"There's no bitterness about Liverpool at all," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

But Mr. Higby, 49, does not express bitterness about offshoring.

The New York Times

Her grandfather's tragedy was also his bitterness about the things he didn't have.

The New York Times

Through all the years, Cook never expressed any bitterness about what had happened to him.

The New York Times

He spoke with such bitterness about Kennedy after the missile crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex situations, clarify the specific cause or source of the "bitterness about" something to provide context and enhance understanding.

Common error

While "bitterness about" is grammatically correct, overuse can make writing sound overly negative. Opt for alternatives like "disappointment" or "frustration" for a more nuanced tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitterness about" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence, often followed by a noun or pronoun that specifies the object of bitterness. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing how this phrase is used to express negative feelings towards specific situations or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitterness about" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express feelings of resentment or disappointment toward a specific situation or topic. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is important to consider the tone and whether alternatives like "disappointment" or "resentment" might be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of the bitterness. Remember that while widely accepted, overuse in informal contexts may sound overly negative. The numerous examples available on Ludwig show the diverse applications of this phrase across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resentment regarding

Replaces "bitterness" with "resentment" and "about" with "regarding", altering the specific noun and preposition but maintaining the core meaning of displeasure.

disappointment concerning

Substitutes "bitterness" with "disappointment" and "about" with "concerning", shifting the focus slightly from anger to sadness over something.

grievance over

Replaces "bitterness" with "grievance" and "about" with "over", indicating a more formal or legalistic complaint.

resentful of

Simplifies the phrase to an adjective and preposition, focusing on the feeling of resentment directly.

indignation towards

Changes "bitterness" to "indignation" and "about" to "towards", implying a stronger sense of moral outrage.

displeasure with

Replaces "bitterness" with "displeasure" and "about" with "with", indicating a milder form of dissatisfaction.

exasperation with

Substitutes "bitterness" with "exasperation" and "about" with "with", emphasizing frustration and annoyance.

animus toward

Replaces "bitterness" with "animus" and "about" with "toward", conveying a sense of hostility or ill feeling.

harboring a grudge against

Replaces the phrase entirely with a verb phrase that conveys the act of holding onto resentment.

nursing resentment for

Uses a more descriptive verb phrase, "nursing resentment", to replace the noun "bitterness", altering the grammatical structure and expressing the act of dwelling on negative feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "bitterness about" in a sentence?

You can use "bitterness about" to express resentment or disappointment regarding a specific situation. For example: "There was a lingering "bitterness about" the team's loss among the fans".

What are some alternatives to "bitterness about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "resentment regarding", "disappointment concerning", or "grievance over".

Is it better to say "bitterness about" or "resentment about"?

"Bitterness about" and "resentment about" are similar, but "bitterness" often implies a deeper, more prolonged feeling of negativity. "Resentment" can be a more immediate reaction to a specific event, so the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Can "bitterness about" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "bitterness about" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing negative sentiments in a serious or analytical context. However, consider the specific tone required and whether a more neutral term might be suitable.