Synonyms for "sour"

12 kid-friendly synonyms for sour, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "sour" mean?

The word sour is an adjective that means: tasting sharp like a lemon.

Example: "The lemon is sour."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for sour

Younger kids can use these in place of "sour":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for sour

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for sour

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of sour (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of sour:

See the full sour antonyms page →

FAQ — synonyms for sour

What is a good synonym for sour in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try tart. For older students, "acidic" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does sour have?
We list 12 grade-appropriate synonyms for sour across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is sour a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, sour is used as an adjective.

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