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

For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025

Historians trace the resentments that erupted into conflict in the Middle East to the arbitrary nature of Europe’s partitioning of the region. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Even economic arguments could not overcome the virulent resentment of immigrants. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resentment

• contentment
• presentment

Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

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