GRUDGE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'grudge' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will , malevolence , malice , malignity , spite , and spleen . While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction. // never one to harbor a grudge

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ill will' instead of 'grudge'?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration. // ill will provoked by a careless remark

Q: When could 'malevolence' be used to replace 'grudge'?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct. // a look of dark malevolence

Q: When might 'malice' be a better fit than 'grudge'?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. // felt no malice toward their former enemies

Q: When is 'malignity' a more appropriate choice than 'grudge'?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness. // a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Q: In what contexts can 'spite' take the place of 'grudge'?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. // petty insults inspired by spite

Q: When can 'spleen' be used instead of 'grudge'?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice. // venting his spleen against politicians

grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudge next

as in resentment

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong he's had a grudge against her ever since she snubbed him at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been a grudge between the two families for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grudge

2 of 2

verb

as in to dislike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grudge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of grudge?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When could malevolence be used to replace grudge?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than grudge?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When is malignity a more appropriate choice than grudge?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of grudge?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When can spleen be used instead of grudge?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of grudge

Noun

Then there are Big Brother alums Danielle and Britney, with the former holding a grudge against the latter for a betrayal that occurred on a mini-season lark called Big Brother: Reindeer Games. —

Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 Continuing to be angry and hold grudges can be like strapping a 40-pound fruitcake to your neck—a burden that can be nuts and hard to carry. —

Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Verb

The Taliban authorities vacillated between grudging accommodation and weary rejection of our attention, but Ross had an uncanny ability to connect. —

Victor Blue, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2023 There is a clear sense of direction, almost a narrative sensibility, in the five tracks’ grudging progression from darkness to something approaching light. —

Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for grudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge

Noun

This approach, Tu believes, can help prevent financial resentment and ensure that both partners retain a sense of independence.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Recognizing the explosive potential of such frustrations, American presidents — beginning with Dwight Eisenhower — explored potential compromises that might ease resentments without giving Panama control of the canal immediately.

— Aaron Coy Moulton / Made by History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025