1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there's a tartness to this movie critic's reviews that's a little tiresome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
there's a telltale tartness between these two teams that nobody could miss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tartness
The Results Great Value's Cream Cheese won consistently high marks across all of our editors' tastings for its balance of sweetness, tartness, and saltiness.
—
Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
It's known for its tartness, which is why it's also called sour tea.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Dec. 2025
Made in Bulgaria, France, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Romania and Italy, as well as Greece and America, products vary in texture as well as saltiness and tartness.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
Eladaria’s peony gets more pronounced, and Delina’s raspberry adds this slight tartness that keeps it from becoming too sweet and powdery.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 21 Nov. 2025
Many people prefer the sweetness of red grapes, while others like the tartness of green grapes.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 Nov. 2025
In the Wild Eyed Rose, the voluptuous tartness of the grenadine gets to arc across the whole palate, supported by the warm light malt of the Irish whiskey and given a malic kiss at the end by the lime juice.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
If that means the Evil Twin Pink Pineapple, prepare for a goblet of roseate brew whose tartness zaps the mouth like a laser.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tartness
Noun
-
Of the many types of basil, the classic Italian 'Treviso' variety stands out for resisting bitterness, staying tender longer, and being slow to flower even as summer heats up.—
-
Red flags included bitterness or any metallic notes the beans may have picked up during processing.—
Noun
-
Those who break the rules are hit with fines depending on the severity of the infraction.—
-
So consider the size and severity of scratches and markings, as well as the item's price.—
Noun
-
From comfort food classics to more elevated plates, several bites stood out at a preview event.—
-
Guests will naturally gravitate towards these pairings, ensuring the perfect bite.—
Noun
-
After years of fighting for its survival in the face of hacks and growing regulatory hostility, crypto’s fortunes abruptly change.—
-
Jewish and civil rights groups blasted the move as weakening safeguards, fueling criticism that Mamdani’s early agenda signals hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community.—
Noun
-
Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe.—
-
Cake mix, lemon pie filling, and butter come together in the oven to create crisp edges and a gooey, citrusy center, while a little cream cheese in the mix rounds out the lemon’s brightness.—
Noun
-
The acidity slows enzyme activity, and refrigeration helps even more.—
-
Drought shrivels the grapes; excessive heat deprives the juice of acidity; too much rain results in rampant mold.—
Cite this Entry
“Tartness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tartness. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share