cried bitterly

USAGE SUMMARY

'cried bitterly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is expressing a strong emotion of sorrow or despair. For example, "She cried bitterly as she remembered the awful events of the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was very painful and I cried bitterly because I was bleeding afterwards".

The Guardian

Mexican children cried bitterly when Keiko was loaded onto a U.P.S. truck and taken away in January , 1996 and who could blame them?

The New Yorker

On the evening of May 16, 1966, Deng and his wife "embraced with our heads together and cried bitterly standing in the doorway of the bedroom," she said at a memorial service held decades later.

The New York Times - Arts

His children, an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, cried bitterly at being forced out, he said, and the family watched in sadness as their two-room home with a small veranda went up in smoke.

The New York Times

Have other children not sheltered a hedgehog over winter; nor cried bitterly when, on the night it was released, a badger left its gutted hide, like an abandoned hand puppet, on the lawn?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Pistorius broke down and cried bitterly as he spoke of the moment he discovered Ms Steenkamp's body.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Titus Emeka Okwor, 50, a streetside fuel seller, recalled that Jonathan came straight to the scene: "He was crying bitterly.

The Guardian

Addressing Stefan Quandt, son of the late Herbert Quandt, BMW's patriarch, and a member of BMW's supervisory board, Mr. Eisemann said: "Mr. Quandt, your father, I am sure, is crying bitterly in his grave".

The New York Times

(Similarly, Dr. Hermelin, in London, had told me a story about an intelligent autistic girl of twelve who came to her and said, of another student, "Joanie is making a funny noise". Upon going to investigate, Hermelin found Joanie crying bitterly.

The New Yorker

Flynn dies in Rapunzel's arms and she cries bitterly.

Wikipedia

The prayers are of teachers warning of dark days to come, but prophesies that it's not too late to change... change... change... "Please, Somebody, make it stop!" he cries bitterly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cried bitterly" to emphasize a strong, negative emotional reaction, such as grief, disappointment, or despair. This phrase suggests a deeper level of sorrow than simply "cried".

Common error

Avoid using "cried bitterly" in situations that are only mildly upsetting. The phrase implies a significant emotional impact, and overuse can diminish its effect and make writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cried bitterly" functions as a verb phrase, specifically describing the manner in which someone cried. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, indicating it effectively conveys strong emotion. It modifies the verb 'cried' to emphasize the intensity and depth of sorrow.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cried bitterly" effectively conveys intense sorrow or disappointment. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a significant emotional impact is intended, as overuse can dilute its effect. Consider alternatives like "wept inconsolably" or "sobbed uncontrollably" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wept inconsolably

Replaces "cried" with "wept" and "bitterly" with "inconsolably", emphasizing the inability to be comforted.

sobbed uncontrollably

Substitutes "cried" with "sobbed" and "bitterly" with "uncontrollably", highlighting the lack of restraint in crying.

shed tears of sorrow

Uses a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the type of tears shed due to sorrow.

lamented deeply

Replaces "cried bitterly" with a single verb phrase that conveys profound grief.

grieved intensely

Similar to "lamented deeply", but with a slightly different connotation of intense sorrow.

wailed mournfully

Emphasizes the audible expression of grief with "wailed", and the emotion with "mournfully".

broke down in tears

Focuses on the sudden onset of crying due to overwhelming emotion.

cried her heart out

An idiomatic expression suggesting a thorough and unrestrained crying episode.

cried with anguish

Replaces "bitterly" with "with anguish", highlighting the intense pain and suffering behind the tears.

cried profusely

Focuses on the abundance of tears shed, emphasizing the intensity of the crying.

FAQs

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

You can use "cried bitterly" to describe someone expressing intense sadness. For example, "She "cried bitterly" upon hearing the news of her loss."

What are some alternatives to "cried bitterly"?

Alternatives include "wept inconsolably", "sobbed uncontrollably", or "lamented deeply", each carrying slightly different connotations of sorrow.

Is "cried bitterly" too dramatic for everyday use?

While grammatically correct, "cried bitterly" implies a significant level of distress. Consider using less intense alternatives like "cried softly" or "shed tears" in less severe contexts.

What's the difference between "cried bitterly" and "cried sadly"?

"Cried bitterly" suggests a more intense and inconsolable level of grief compared to "cried sadly". "Bitterly" implies a sharp, painful sorrow, whereas "sadly" simply indicates sorrow.