What does embitter mean?
Word: Embitter
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Embitter means to make someone feel angry and resentful because they think they were treated unfairly.
Synonyms: sour, poison, upset
Antonyms: comfort
How do you spell embitter?
Syllables: em - bit - ter
Tricky part: The t in the middle is doubled.
Watch out for: embiter, embbitter, embittor
Memory tip: Two t's stand side by side in the middle, like two friends standing firm against unfair treatment.
Embitter in a sentence
Example 1: Years of unfair treatment had embittered the old farmer.
Example 2: Do not let one argument embitter a long friendship.
Example 3: The defeat embittered the fans, who booed the referee.
Fun Fact
The word is used far more about feelings than about taste: people say a long quarrel or an unfair defeat left someone embittered.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
bitter
a) um
b) am
c) em
d) en
Show answer
c) em. Before a b we use em, as in embrace and embody.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
embitter
a) annoy
b) blame
c) soothe
d) anger
Show answer
c) soothe. To soothe is to calm someone and make them feel better.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Losing the final on a wrong umpiring call did not embittar the young bowler for long.
a) final
b) embittar
c) bowler
d) umpiring
Show answer
b) embittar. The ending is er, just as in bitter.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) embarass
b) embitter
c) embroider
d) emblem
Show answer
a) embarass. Embarrass needs a double r as well as a double s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these could embitter someone?
a) winning a prize for hard work
b) getting a surprise birthday card
c) being thanked by a teacher
d) being blamed for a friend's mistake
Show answer
d) being blamed for a friend's mistake
2. An embittered old man would probably ____.
a) laugh at every joke he hears
b) complain that life has been unfair
c) thank everyone he meets
d) share his sweets with children
Show answer
b) complain that life has been unfair
