tinge of bitterness

USAGE SUMMARY

"tinge of bitterness" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small but noticeable amount of bitterness in a person's tone, expression, or attitude. It can also refer to a slight feeling of resentment or disappointment. Example: Despite her efforts to sound cheerful, there was a tinge of bitterness in Jane's voice as she talked about her failed relationship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(The shooter, Dündar told me, with a tinge of bitterness, is out of jail and still has his passport).

The New Yorker

In SoHo, the marshmallow is caramelized on top, giving it a tinge of bitterness that helps offset the sweetness, and the pudding is very slightly salty.

The New York Times - Food

A rote version of "Cry Me a River," unruffled by the smallest tinge of bitterness and anger, simply lay there, inert.

The New York Times - Arts

We had a drink together some time afterwards, and he said he felt a tinge of bitterness, that his fight for the Scottish interest had been ill rewarded.

The Guardian

But its neighbors' fears are often visceral, rooted in historical rivalries as well as current threats to jobs and influence, and they are often expressed with a tinge of bitterness.

The New York Times

Introducing several songs that address different aspects of black history and culture, Ms. Douglas describes with a tinge of bitterness the frustration of being subjected to the artistic equivalent of racial profiling when nightclub patrons pelt her with requests for songs associated with Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and, especially, Jennifer Holliday.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But in tones strong and plaintive, and sometimes sweet, and with a linguistic manner alternately ironic, sentimental and tinged by a hint of bitterness, he expounded generously on his life's twin passions: football and firefighting.

The New York Times

Physical examination revealed a pale young man with a tinge of jaundice and slight dehydration.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

The sense of loss was tinged with bitterness at the slow pace of reconstruction and the government's handling of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The Guardian

This is memoir devoid of bitterness.

The New York Times - Books

The irony is a source of bitterness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tinge of bitterness" to subtly indicate a negative emotion without being overly dramatic. It's ideal for conveying a character's complex feelings or describing a situation with underlying tensions.

Common error

Avoid having characters explicitly state they feel a "tinge of bitterness". Instead, show it through their actions, tone, and word choice for a more natural and impactful portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tinge of bitterness" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or situation by adding a subtle layer of negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase, indicating its established role in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tinge of bitterness" is a nuanced way to express a slight feeling of resentment or disappointment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a correct and established phrase, though relatively uncommon in overall usage. It's most frequently found in journalistic contexts, adding a layer of emotional depth to descriptions of events or people. For writers, it offers a method to convey complex emotions with subtlety, avoiding overly dramatic or explicit language. Alternatives like ""hint of resentment"" or ""slight resentment"" can provide similar shades of meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight resentment

This is a more straightforward substitution, using "slight" to indicate the small degree of bitterness.

faint trace of bitterness

This alternative stresses how subtle the bitterness is.

hint of resentment

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of resentment, making it more explicit than "bitterness".

shade of cynicism

This option replaces "bitterness" with "cynicism", shifting the focus to a more skeptical or distrustful attitude.

touch of acrimony

This phrase uses "acrimony", which implies a more intense and sharp bitterness.

whisper of resentment

This highlights the subtlety and quietness of the bitterness.

vein of resentment

Replaces "tinge" with "vein", suggesting the emotion is deeper and more pervasive.

undertone of resentment

This focuses on the underlying nature of the negative feeling, making it less direct.

element of spite

This uses "spite", which indicates a more malicious or vengeful feeling.

shadow of disillusionment

This alternative indicates a loss of faith or idealism, changing the specific emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "tinge of bitterness" in a sentence?

You can use "tinge of bitterness" to describe a subtle feeling of resentment or disappointment, as in, "Despite her success, there was a "tinge of bitterness" in his voice when he spoke about his past failures."

What's a good alternative to "tinge of bitterness"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hint of resentment", "slight resentment", or "faint trace of bitterness".

Is it correct to say "tinge of bitterness"?

Yes, "tinge of bitterness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a slight or subtle feeling of bitterness.

What is the difference between "tinge of bitterness" and "wave of bitterness"?

A ""tinge of bitterness"" suggests a small amount of bitterness, while "wave of bitterness" implies a much stronger and more overwhelming feeling.