remain bitter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain bitter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of holding onto negative feelings or resentment over time. Example: "After the argument, she chose to remain bitter instead of forgiving him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Some remain bitter.

The New York Times

Many Ndebele remain bitter about this inconsistency.

The Guardian

Some former executives at Vlingo, Nuance's old rival, remain bitter.

The New York Times - Tech

Some former players remain bitter about their treatment.

The New York Times - Sports

Some Seventh Cavalry veterans remain bitter about Mr. Daily's efforts.

The New York Times

Many Serbs remain bitter over the wars and territory that Mr. Milosevic lost.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Opponents of the hunt remained bitter.

The New York Times

But I always remained bitter at the Melbourne scene.

The Guardian - Books

But he remained bitter about being denied the opportunity to open a casino in Detroit.

The New York Times

From 1910 to 1945, Japan had imposed a brutal occupation of the Korean Peninsula, and relations between the countries remained bitter.

The New Yorker

He remained bitter about the incident in later years, convinced the F.B.I. director sabotaged him in order to ensure his own position as spy czar.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain bitter", consider specifying the cause of the bitterness to provide context and clarity. For example, "They remain bitter about the company's decision."

Common error

Avoid using "remain bitter" as a generic statement. Provide specific details about the situation or event that caused the bitterness to make your writing more impactful and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain bitter" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a continuing state of emotional negativity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically sound expression. The examples show it's commonly used to describe people or groups holding onto resentment or anger.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain bitter" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a continuing state of resentment or negativity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, often used to explain unresolved feelings about past events. To use it effectively, provide specific context about the cause of the bitterness. While alternatives like "stay resentful" or "hold a grudge" exist, "remain bitter" offers a direct and neutral way to convey a persistent negative emotional state. Keep in mind the importance of specifying the cause to avoid generic statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to resent

Directly states the continuation of feeling resentment.

stay resentful

Focuses on the feeling of resentment as a continuing state.

harbor resentment

Emphasizes the act of holding onto and nurturing resentment.

hold a grudge

Indicates a persistent feeling of resentment over a past offense.

sustain bitterness

Focuses on maintaining a state of bitterness over time.

nurse a grievance

Suggests actively dwelling on a perceived wrong.

cling to bitterness

Highlights the act of tightly holding onto negative feelings.

foster animosity

Implies actively encouraging feelings of hatred or dislike.

nurture resentment

Similar to 'harbor resentment', but with a sense of deliberate cultivation.

persist in animosity

Highlights the stubborn continuation of hostile feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "remain bitter" in a sentence?

You can use "remain bitter" to describe a continuing state of resentment or negativity, as in "Despite the apology, she "remained bitter" about the incident."

What are some alternatives to "remain bitter"?

Alternatives to "remain bitter" include "stay resentful", "harbor resentment", or "hold a grudge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "remained bitter"?

Yes, "remained bitter" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "remained bitter" about the loss."

What does it mean to "remain bitter"?

To "remain bitter" means to continue feeling resentful or negative about something that happened in the past. It implies a persistent state of unhappiness or anger.