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Showing results for bittersweet.
Definitions

bittersweet

[bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet] / ˌbɪt ərˈswit, ˈbɪt ərˌswit, ˈbɪt ərˌswit /
ADJECTIVE
affecting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
poignant stirring touching
WEAK
arousing affect
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unaffecting
ADJECTIVE
poignant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter disturbing emotional heartbreaking heartrending moving passionate pathetic sad sentimental touching
WEAK
agitating agonizing distressing impressive intense perturbing piteous pitiful sorrowful upsetting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy indifferent unaffecting unemotional unmoving wonderful
WEAK
blah blunt calm dull numb pleasant soothing
ADJECTIVE
touching
Synonyms
STRONGEST
heartbreaking pathetic poignant sad stirring stunning wistful
STRONG
compassionate melting tender
WEAK
emotive heart-rending impressive mind-blowing piteous pitiable pitiful responsive sympathetic tear-jerking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy
STRONG
hard
WEAK
unaffecting unmoving
ADJECTIVE
painful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agonizing arduous awful difficult dire distasteful distressing excruciating hard harrowing heart-wrenching hurtful severe tedious terrible troublesome uncomfortable unpleasant
WEAK
aching afflictive biting burning caustic disagreeable dreadful extreme extremely bad grievous hurting inflamed irritated laborious piercing raw saddening sensitive sharp smarting sore stinging tender throbbing tormenting trying vexatious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm easy facile friendly good great helpful mild nice pleasant pleasing simple wonderful
WEAK
delightful painless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The merger with Paramount, which the companies aim to close by the end of September, has cast a pall over Warner Bros., making its box-office success this year bittersweet.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

It softens the harsher edges of coffee and bittersweet chocolate, adding warmth without sweetness.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

Now, Iowa is mourning as questions and bursts of bittersweet pride begin again.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

"I guess it's bittersweet that I'm the first one, the first woman, to get it," she told BBC News.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Penelope’s feelings were so mixed between joy and something far more bittersweet, one might easily have mistaken it for Christmas Day.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.