Meanings
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1
adv
In a way that shows anger, hurt, or resentment.
They complained bitterly about the new rules.
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2
adv
Used to stress how strong a difficult feeling is.
I was bitterly disappointed by my exam results.
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3
adv
(of cold) Extremely and sharply.
It was a bitterly cold night at the stadium.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English bitterli, biterli, biterliche, from Old English biterlīċe, bitterlīċe (“bitterly”), equivalent to bitter + -ly. Cognate with German Low German bitterlik (“bitterly”), German bitterlich (“bitterly”), Swedish bitterligen (“bitterly”).
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