bitter end

1 of 2

noun (1)

: the last extremity however painful or calamitous

bitter-ender

ˌbi-tər-ˈen-dər 

noun

bitter end

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the inboard end of a ship's anchoring cable

Examples of bitter end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Others say Israel’s successful war against major backers like Iran and Hezbollah made Mr. Assad’s fall inevitable, even though Moscow kept providing air support to the bitter end. —Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024

For the Germans, who spent the early portion of the tournament looking like a legitimate gold-medal contender, the tournament came to a bitter end. —Sam Amick, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024

Lamar Jackson’s dazzling season meets a bitter end Watch out. —Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024

As the forthright Sun in your 9th House of Higher Education agrees to disagree with unconscious Neptune in your 4th House of Roots, you aren’t required to follow an upsetting line of inquiry to the bitter end. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps from bitter end entry 2

Noun (2)

bitter (a turn of cable around the bitts)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1827, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1862, in the meaning defined above