resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Synonyms

• down [chiefly British]
• grievance
• grudge
• score

Choose the Right Synonym for resentment

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of resentment in a Sentence

She bore bitter feelings of resentment toward her ex-husband.

He's filled with resentment at his boss.

He expressed his resentment of the new policies.

Recent Examples on the Web

But, even then, each remains at the forefront of the other’s mind, with two decades’ worth of regrets, resentment, love, betrayals, and misunderstandings binding them together forever. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 June 2024

For Clark, amid the cheering is the discord of resentment. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024

The Soviet experience left a legacy of resentment and cynicism that was rather inimical to genuine public spirited involvement. —Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024

McCarthy uses it as a kind of therapy session, working out his resentments, which is fair. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of angry displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury