Bitter vs. Sweet: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
Bitter and Sweet are opposite taste profiles; bitter has a sharp, pungent taste, often unpleasant, while sweet is characterized by a pleasant taste of sugar or honey.
Key Differences
Bitter and Sweet are descriptors primarily used to characterize the tastes perceived by the tongue, representing opposite ends of the taste spectrum. Bitter is usually described as a sharp, pungent, and often unpleasant taste, detected by the taste buds. It is a taste associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and certain vegetables like kale and arugula. The recognition of bitterness acts as a natural warning system to potential toxins.
Sweet, on the other hand, is a taste that is pleasant, usually associated with sugar, honey, and syrup. It is one of the basic tastes and is sensed by special receptors located on our taste buds. Sweetness is universally accepted by the human palate, and it’s usually found in fruits, desserts, and beverages. This taste often signifies the presence of sugars which are a source of energy for the body.
In addition to their literal meanings, Bitter and Sweet also have metaphorical implications. Bitter can describe a person's feelings or experiences characterized by intense sorrow, pain, or resentment. For instance, a person can feel bitter after a betrayal or a failure. Sweet can symbolize pleasant and amiable experiences or personalities. A sweet person is considered kind, gentle, and pleasant, and a sweet memory is one that brings joy and happiness.
The utilization of Bitter and Sweet extends into various domains such as music, literature, and art to convey contrasting emotions, experiences, or attributes. Bitter melodies may convey sorrow or melancholy, while sweet tones might convey happiness or tranquility. These words serve to encapsulate the dichotomy of human experience, symbolizing the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of life.
Comparison Chart
Taste
Sharp, pungent, and often unpleasant taste.
Pleasant, usually sugary taste.
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Representation
Represents potential toxins.
Represents energy sources.
Metaphoric Use
Can signify sorrow, pain, or resentment.
Can signify happiness, kindness, or pleasantness.
Common in
Dark chocolate, black coffee, some vegetables.
Fruits, desserts, honey.
Sensation
Detected by taste buds as a warning.
Universally accepted and liked by the palate.
Bitter and Sweet Definitions
Bitter
Having a sharp, pungent, and usually unpleasant taste.
The medicine left a bitter taste in my mouth.
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Sweet
Pleasing in general; delightful.
She has a sweet personality.
Bitter
Sharp and unpleasant; harsh.
The cold wind had a bitter bite.
Sweet
Used to express approval or gratification.
Winning the game was a sweet victory.
Bitter
Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
Sweet
Fragrant; perfumed.
The air was sweet with the scent of flowers.
Bitter
Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh
Enveloped in bitter cold.
A bitter wind.
Sweet
Musically pure, clear, and harmonious.
The violinist produced a sweet tone.
Bitter
Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear
The bitter truth.
Bitter sorrow.
Sweet
Having the taste of sugar or a substance containing or resembling sugar, as honey or saccharin.
Bitter
Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity
A bitter struggle.
Bitter foes.
Sweet
Containing or derived from sugar.
Bitter
Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment
Cried bitter tears.
Sweet
Retaining some natural sugar; not dry
A sweet wine.
Bitter
Marked by resentment or cynicism
"He was already a bitter elderly man with a gray face" (John Dos Passos).
Sweet
Pleasing to the senses; agreeable
The sweet song of the lark.
A sweet face.
Bitter
In an intense or harsh way; bitterly
A bitter cold night.
Sweet
Pleasing to the mind or feelings; gratifying
Sweet revenge.
Bitter
To make bitter.
Sweet
Having a pleasing disposition; lovable
A sweet child.
Bitter
That which is bitter
"all words ... / Failing to give the bitter of the sweet" (Tennyson).
Sweet
Kind; gracious
It was sweet of him to help out.
Bitter
Bitters A bitter, usually alcoholic liquid made with herbs or roots and used in cocktails or as a tonic.
Sweet
Fragrant; perfumed
A sweet scent.
Bitter
Chiefly British A sharp-tasting beer made with hops.
Sweet
Not saline or salted
Sweet water.
Sweet butter.
Bitter
Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
The coffee tasted bitter.
Sweet
Not spoiled, sour, or decaying; fresh
Sweet milk.
Bitter
Harsh, piercing or stinging.
Sweet
Free of acid or acidity
Sweet soil.
Bitter
Hateful or hostile.
They're bitter enemies.
Sweet
Low in sulfur content
Sweet fuel oil.
Bitter
Cynical and resentful.
I've been bitter ever since that defeat.
Sweet
(Music) Of, relating to, or being a form of jazz characterized by adherence to a melodic line and to a time signature.
Bitter
(usually in the plural bitters) A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.
Sweet
Remarkable; outstanding.
Bitter
A type of beer heavily flavored with hops.
Sweet
Used as an intensive
Took his own sweet time to finish.
Earns a sweet million per year.
Bitter
(nautical) A turn of a cable about the bitts.
Sweet
In a sweet manner; sweetly.
Bitter
A hardware system whose architecture is based around units of the specified number of bits binary digits.
Sweet
Sweet taste or quality; sweetness.
Bitter
To make bitter.
Sweet
Something sweet to the taste.
Bitter
AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
Sweet
Foods, such as candy, pastries, puddings, or preserves, that are high in sugar content.
Bitter
Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.
Sweet
(Informal) Sweet potatoes
Candied sweets.
Bitter
Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.
Sweet
A sweet dish, such as pudding, served as dessert.
Bitter
Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day.
Sweet
A sweetmeat or confection.
Bitter
Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.
It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God.
Sweet
A dear or beloved person.
Bitter
Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Sweet
Something pleasing to the mind or feelings.
Bitter
Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage.
Sweet
Having a pleasant taste, especially one relating to the basic taste sensation induced by sugar.
A sweet apple
Bitter
To make bitter.
Sweet
Having a taste of sugar.
Bitter
English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
Sweet
(wine) Retaining a portion of sugar.
Sweet wines are better dessert wines.
Bitter
The taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth
Sweet
Not having a salty taste.
Sweet butter
Bitter
The property of having a harsh unpleasant taste
Sweet
Having a pleasant smell.
A sweet scent
Bitter
Make bitter
Sweet
Not decaying, fermented, rancid, sour, spoiled, or stale.
Sweet milk
Bitter
Marked by strong resentment or cynicism;
An acrimonious dispute
Bitter about the divorce
Sweet
Having a pleasant sound.
A sweet tune
Bitter
Very difficult to accept or bear;
The bitter truth
A bitter sorrow
Sweet
Having a pleasing disposition.
A sweet child
You're so sweet!
Bitter
Harsh or corrosive in tone;
An acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
A barrage of acid comments
Her acrid remarks make her many enemies
Bitter words
Blistering criticism
Caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
A sulfurous denunciation
Sweet
Having a helpful disposition.
It was sweet of him to help out.
Bitter
One of the four basic taste sensations; sharp and disagreeable; like the taste of quinine
Sweet
(mineralogy) Free from excessive unwanted substances like acid or sulphur.
Sweet gas
Sweet soil
Sweet crude oil
Bitter
Expressive of severe grief or regret;
Shed bitter tears
Sweet
(informal) Very pleasing; agreeable.
The new Lexus was a sweet birthday gift.
Bitter
Proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity;
A bitter struggle
Bitter enemies
Sweet
(slang) Doing well; in a good or happy position.
Bitter
Causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold;
Bitter cold
A biting wind
Sweet
Romantically fixated; enamored with; fond of.
The attraction was mutual and instant; they were sweet on one another from first sight.
Bitter
Extremely and sharply;
It was bitterly cold
Bitter cold
Sweet
; not salt or brackish.
Sweet water
Bitter
Characterized by intense resentment or sorrow.
His bitter attitude stemmed from years of disappointment.
Sweet
To the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair.
A sweet face
A sweet colour or complexion
Bitter
Difficult or distasteful to accept.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.
Sweet
An intensifier.
Bitter
Marked by severity or harshness.
She faced bitter poverty.
Sweet
Used as a positive response to good news or information.
They're making a sequel? Ah, sweet!
Sweet
In a sweet manner.
Sweet
(uncountable) The basic taste sensation induced by sugar.
Sweet
A confection made from sugar, or high in sugar content; a candy.
Sweet
A food eaten for dessert.
Can we see the sweet menu, please?
Sweet
Synonym of sweetheart, a term of affection.
Good evening, my sweet.
Sweet
(obsolete) That which is sweet or pleasant in odour; a perfume.
Sweet
(obsolete) Sweetness, delight; something pleasant to the mind or senses.
Sweet
To sweeten.
Sweet
Having an agreeable taste or flavor such as that of sugar; saccharine; - opposed to sour and bitter; as, a sweet beverage; sweet fruits; sweet oranges.
Sweet
Pleasing to the smell; fragrant; redolent; balmy; as, a sweet rose; sweet odor; sweet incense.
The breath of these flowers is sweet to me.
Sweet
Pleasing to the ear; soft; melodious; harmonious; as, the sweet notes of a flute or an organ; sweet music; a sweet voice; a sweet singer.
To make his English sweet upon his tongue.
A voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful.
Sweet
Pleasing to the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair; as, a sweet face; a sweet color or complexion.
Sweet interchangeOf hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.
Sweet
Fresh; not salt or brackish; as, sweet water.
Sweet
Not changed from a sound or wholesome state. Specifically: (a) Not sour; as, sweet milk or bread. (b) Not state; not putrescent or putrid; not rancid; as, sweet butter; sweet meat or fish.
Sweet
Plaesing to the mind; mild; gentle; calm; amiable; winning; presuasive; as, sweet manners.
Canst thou bind the sweet influence of Pleiades?
Mildness and sweet reasonableness is the one established rule of Christian working.
Sweet
That which is sweet to the taste; - used chiefly in the plural.
Sweet
That which is sweet or pleasant in odor; a perfume.
Sweet
That which is pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, the sweets of domestic life.
A little bitter mingled in our cup leaves no relish of the sweet.
Sweet
One who is dear to another; a darling; - a term of endearment.
Sweet
Sweetly.
Sweet
To sweeten.
Sweet
English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
Sweet
A dish served as the last course of a meal
Sweet
A food rich in sugar
Sweet
The taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
Sweet
The property of containing sugar
Sweet
Having a pleasant taste (as of sugar)
Sweet
Having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub;
An angelic smile
A cherubic face
Looking so seraphic when he slept
A sweet disposition
Sweet
Pleasing to the ear;
The dulcet tones of the cello
Sweet
One of the four basic taste sensations; very pleasant; like the taste of sugar or honey
Sweet
Pleasing to the senses;
The sweet song of the lark
The sweet face of a child
Sweet
Pleasing to the mind or feeling;
Sweet revenge
Sweet
Having a natural fragrance;
Odoriferous spices
The odorous air of the orchard
The perfumed air of June
Scented flowers
Sweet
(used of wines) having a sweet taste
Sweet
Not soured or preserved;
Sweet milk
Sweet
With sweetening added
Sweet
Not having a salty taste;
Sweet water
Sweet
In an affectionate or loving manner (`sweet' is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of `sweetly');
Susan Hayward plays the wife sharply and sweetly
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank
Talking sweet to each other
Sweet
Having the taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salty, sour, or bitter.
The cake was incredibly sweet.
FAQs
Can a person be described as bitter?
Yes, a person feeling intense sorrow or resentment can be described as bitter.
Can Bitter and Sweet only describe taste?
No, they can also describe emotions, experiences, and attributes metaphorically.
Is sweet taste universally liked?
Generally, yes, the sweet taste is universally accepted and liked by the human palate.
Can sweet describe a fragrance?
Yes, sweet can describe a fragrant or perfumed scent.
Is bitterness a basic taste?
Yes, bitter is one of the basic tastes perceived by the taste buds.
Are bitter foods usually toxic?
Not all, bitterness can indicate toxicity, but many bitter foods are nutritious and healthy.
Can sweet symbolize approval?
Yes, sweet can be used to express approval or gratification.
Does sweet always refer to the presence of sugar?
Often, but sweet can also refer to anything that is pleasant to the senses.
Can bitterness be a metaphor for life experiences?
Yes, bitter can metaphorically represent harsh or unpleasant life experiences.
Are bitter substances often rejected by the palate?
Yes, the human palate often rejects bitter substances as they can be associated with toxins.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
