harbor bitterness toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harbor bitterness toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of resentment or anger directed at someone or something. Example: "Despite the years that have passed, she still harbors bitterness toward her former colleague for the way he treated her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nevertheless, Ms. Field says, she does not harbor bitterness toward her stepfather, who is now dead, and credits him with toughening her up.

The New York Times

Opposition leaders have been divided in recent weeks over whether they would continue to allow the American military base to remain, but it seems clear that they harbor bitterness toward the United States.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a foolhardy attempt to bring back Cedric Diggory, whose father, Amos, still harbors bitterness toward Harry for his son's death, Albus and Scorpius steal a juiced-up Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic which allows them to go back in time to the Triwizard Tournament.

Huffington Post

When we fight, we don't sweep it under the rug and harbor bitterness or resentment.

Huffington Post

When we harbor bitterness or guilt or anger it hurts us more than anyone.

WikiHow

He harbors no bitterness toward his brother's attacker, he says, and opposes the death penalty as "economically discriminatory and inherently racist".

The New York Times

Mr. Feinstein said today that Mr. el-Atriss harbored no bitterness toward officials here, and that he understood that the the sheriff's department and prosecutor's office were only trying to do their jobs.

The New York Times

Boykins said he harbored no bitterness toward his former teams, and he said his outstanding performance in Cleveland had nothing to do with playing at home or against a former employer.

The New York Times - Sports

And she said she "didn't harbor resentment toward the boys who attacked me".

The New York Times

4. The Czechs have somewhat of a rivalry with Germany and often harbor resentment toward Russia!

Huffington Post

Bitterness toward the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harbor bitterness toward", ensure the context clearly identifies the subject and object of the bitterness to avoid ambiguity. For example, "After the betrayal, she harbored bitterness toward her former friend."

Common error

Avoid using "harbor bitterness" without clearly specifying who or what the bitterness is directed toward. Vague statements can confuse the reader and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor bitterness toward" functions as a verb phrase expressing a sustained negative emotion directed at a specific person or entity. It suggests a continuous holding of resentment, as supported by examples on Ludwig where individuals "harbor bitterness toward" others due to perceived wrongs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harbor bitterness toward" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, signifying a sustained feeling of resentment or animosity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and example sentences primarily appear in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys deep-seated negative feelings. When employing this phrase, clarify the target of the bitterness to ensure clarity, and consider alternatives like "hold a grudge against" or "nurse resentment toward" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold a grudge against

Focuses on maintaining a feeling of resentment over time.

nurse resentment toward

Emphasizes the act of fostering and maintaining negative feelings.

bear a grudge against

Highlights the action of carrying resentment.

feel animosity towards

Indicates a strong feeling of dislike or hostility.

hold resentment for

Focuses on the sustained feeling of displeasure or indignation.

feel bitter about

Highlights the emotion of bitterness regarding a specific situation.

resent

A more concise way of expressing the feeling of displeasure.

have a grievance against

Highlights the existence of a perceived wrong that causes resentment.

nurture animosity

Focuses on the continuous fostering of hostile feelings.

maintain hostility toward

Emphasizes the persistence of unfriendly feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "harbor bitterness toward" in a sentence?

You can use "harbor bitterness toward" to express feelings of resentment or anger directed at someone or something. For example: "Despite the years that have passed, she still harbored bitterness toward her former colleague for the way he treated her."

What are some alternatives to "harbor bitterness toward"?

You can use alternatives like "hold a grudge against", "nurse resentment toward", or "bear a grudge against" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "harbor bitterness toward" or simply "resent"?

"Harbor bitterness toward" emphasizes a prolonged and sustained feeling of resentment, while "resent" is a more general term for feeling displeasure or indignation. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "harbor bitterness toward" and "hold resentment for"?

While both phrases express negative feelings, "harbor bitterness toward" suggests a deeper, more ingrained sense of animosity. "Hold resentment for" implies a sustained feeling of displeasure, but may not be as intense or long-lasting.