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

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 underneath the façade of the perfect family is a tinderbox of competition and resentment that’s ignited when Theo’s professional dreams come crashing down. —

Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 Apr. 2024 The ultra-Orthodox have been exempt from military service since the founding of Israel in 1948, but as the numbers of the ultra-Orthodox have grown — and especially in the months since the war began — so have resentment and anger over these privileges. —

Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resentment

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resentment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of resentment was in 1619

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentment. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·sent·ment ri-ˈzent-mənt

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

Last Updated: 7 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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resentment

noun

Synonyms

Examples of resentment in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near resentment

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition