cry bitterly

USAGE SUMMARY

"cry bitterly" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone crying with great intensity or sadness. It can be used in any context where someone is experiencing strong emotions while crying, such as in literature, poetry, or personal writing. Example: As the reality of his mother's death set in, John began to cry bitterly, his tears falling uncontrollably down his cheeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When her governess, Margaretta Eagar, told her after the visit that the sickly child she had been conversing so gently with was Olga, four-year-old Tatiana began to cry bitterly and protested that the pale, thin child couldn't be her adored older sister.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

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

I cried bitterly all the way home - cried for my job, cried for my future and cried for the torn streets, damaged buildings and crumbling people.

The Guardian

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

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

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

(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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cry bitterly" to convey intense sadness, grief, or pain. It's appropriate when the emotional response is overwhelming and clearly visible.

Common error

Avoid using "cry bitterly" in situations that warrant mild sadness or disappointment. The phrase implies a significant level of distress, so use it only when appropriate to the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cry bitterly" functions as a verb phrase where "cry" is the main verb and "bitterly" is an adverb modifying the verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and describes intense crying.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cry bitterly" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe crying with intense sorrow or grief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is best used in contexts where deep emotional pain is evident. While not a very common phrase, its appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its appropriateness for neutral to formal registers. When writing, remember to use "cry bitterly" when conveying significant emotional distress, avoiding overuse in casual situations. Alternatives such as "cry one's heart out" can offer a slightly different nuance depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cry one's heart out

Indicates deep sorrow and emotional release through crying.

weep profusely

Emphasizes the abundance of tears shed.

sob uncontrollably

Highlights the lack of control over the crying.

bawl one's eyes out

Suggests loud and unrestrained crying.

break down in tears

Focuses on the sudden onset of crying.

cry buckets

Suggests shedding a large quantity of tears.

shed tears of grief

Specifically links the crying to grief.

dissolve into tears

Focuses on the complete surrender to crying.

lament sorrowfully

Emphasizes the expression of sorrow through crying and other means.

mourn deeply

Highlights the profound sadness and grief experienced.

FAQs

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

You can use "cry bitterly" to describe someone experiencing profound sadness or grief, like "After losing her job, she went home and "cried bitterly"." It emphasizes the intensity of the emotion.

What's a more common way to say "cry bitterly"?

While "cry bitterly" is accurate, you might consider alternatives such as "cry one's heart out" or "sob uncontrollably" for a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "cried bitter" instead of "cry bitterly"?

No, "cried bitter" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "cry bitterly", where "bitterly" is an adverb modifying the verb "cry".

What emotions are best described by the phrase "cry bitterly"?

"Cry bitterly" is best suited for expressing strong emotions like grief, despair, intense disappointment, or overwhelming sadness. It implies a deep level of emotional distress.