embittered

USAGE SUMMARY

"embittered" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is resentful or filled with bitterness, often due to past experiences or perceived injustices. Example: "After years of unfair treatment, he became embittered and withdrawn." Alternative expressions include "resentful" and "disillusioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That meant, in political terms, aligning it more closely to the mainstream of Irish nationalism, which had been disgusted by the IRA's violence and which hankered for ideas of Irish identity that were positive and open rather than embittered and embattled.

The Guardian

Families were carers, you had fatherless families, you had degrees of domestic violence associated with post traumatic stress, you had the pro-conscriptionists and the anti-conscriptionists still deeply embittered and polarised – the shirkers versus those who served.

The Guardian

Policing remains a touchstone issue for nationalists who were embittered by the former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson's policing legislation, believing it neutered the drive to try to make the 90% Protestant RUC more acceptable to the Catholic community.

The Guardian

She became embittered and persuaded herself that it had all been treachery and some kind of plot, which was paranoid nonsense.

The Guardian

Dancers are frustrated by the lack of new challenges in the repertory, and embittered at the gap between their exhausting work hours and meagre pay.

The Guardian

Once the Americans left Iraq, and its Sunnis became embittered by the misrule of the Shia-dominated government, the jihadists swooped back in to take Mosul.The authors trace the ambiguous relationship between IS (or its precursors) and al-Qaeda, and examine key ideological texts (one is called "The Management of Savagery").

The Economist

If it takes the direction of vengeance, Mr Johnson, whose own mind has been embittered against the planters by family injuries, may break loose from his Cabinet; but if, as is much more probable, it takes the direction of over reverence for the policy of the dead, he must coerce his own tendencies until time and the sobering effect of great power have extinguished them.

The Economist

Over the past few days, Dutch attitudes towards Russia have become increasingly embittered.

The Economist

Not soon enough, say his internal critics, including Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister's embittered predecessor, and Razaleigh Hamzah, a former finance minister and rival to Dr Mahathir, who intends to run for the leadership.

The Economist

Many Muslims are still embittered by the legacy of the Bush years, which accumulated injuries ranging from the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to scandalous treatment of Muslim prisoners and a perceived deepening of American bias towards a belligerent Israel.

The Economist

During Lexington's years in China, there were hundreds of fatal explosions and bombings, perhaps set by migrant workers denied their rightful pay, despairing farmers robbed of land, embittered lovers or separatists from Xinjiang.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "embittered" to accurately convey a deep-seated resentment or bitterness, especially resulting from prolonged or unfair treatment. Ensure the context clearly supports the intensity of this emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "embittered" when describing simple disappointment or frustration. Reserve it for situations involving profound and lasting bitterness, as overuse can dilute its impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embittered" is as a past participle or adjective, describing a state of deep-seated resentment and disillusionment. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it modifies nouns, indicating a condition or characteristic resulting from negative experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embittered" functions primarily as an adjective or past participle, conveying a deep and lasting sense of resentment and disillusionment. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve "embittered" for situations involving profound bitterness, avoiding its dilution in milder negative contexts. Alternative expressions include "resentful" and "disillusioned". With a solid expert rating and clear usage patterns, understanding the nuances of "embittered" enhances precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resentful

Implies a feeling of indignation or ill-will as a result of a real or imagined wrong.

disillusioned

Suggests a loss of faith or trust in something previously regarded as good or admirable.

cynical

Indicates a belief that people are generally motivated by selfishness.

jaded

Implies a lack of enthusiasm resulting from having too much of something.

disenchanted

Similar to disillusioned but often implies a more gentle disappointment.

aggrieved

Suggests a feeling of having been unfairly treated.

sour

Implies a general state of unhappiness or negativity.

rancorous

Characterized by bitterness or resentment.

chagrined

Feeling distressed or humiliated.

disappointed

Feeling sadness or displeasure resulting from the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

FAQs

How is "embittered" typically used in a sentence?

"Embittered" is often used to describe a person or group who harbors deep resentment due to negative experiences. For example, "The refugees were "embittered" by the loss of their homes and livelihoods."

What words can I use instead of "embittered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "resentful", "disillusioned", or "cynical" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is it appropriate to use "embittered" in formal writing?

Yes, "embittered" is appropriate for formal writing when used accurately to describe a deep and lasting resentment. Its use should be justified by the severity of the situation being described.

What's the difference between "disappointed" and "embittered"?

"Disappointed" implies a temporary feeling of sadness from unmet expectations, while "embittered" suggests a lasting state of resentment and disillusionment. Someone can be disappointed by a single event, but becomes "embittered" by prolonged or repeated negative experiences.