grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudgenext
1
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

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2
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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grudge
Noun
So who could this grudge-holding mystery actress be? —Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 Emotional players are fun because there is nothing greater than watching a contestant with a grudge ignore logic, reason, and strategy to exact that grudge at all costs. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
Trump is harboring an obvious political grudge against Bolton, one that started with revoking his security clearance and Secret Service detail immediately after taking office (even though credible threats against Bolton's life have been publicly reported). —Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 This year’s grudge clash between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights is being held in Baltimore. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
  1. resentment
  2. hostility
  3. dislike
  4. grievance
  5. hatred
  6. refuse
  7. bitterness
  8. deny
Noun
  • Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel Hamnet imagined the relationship between the Bard and his spouse as an intimate tale of lust, compromise, joy, resentment, support, and sorrow.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Her plaintive denials on screen are robbed of any credibility by an inescapable sense of overwhelming resentment.
    — Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of resentment
Noun
  • When faced with Laura’s hostility, what can Cherry do but lose her mind, smash a glass against her head, and tell Daniel that his mother did it?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The conflict between Israel and Palestine was dividing friends, sparking tensions, and fueling rising acts of hostility.
    — Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of hostility
Verb
  • To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Here’s a look at more interesting likes and dislikes Payton’s outlined at the podium in his time on the Front Range.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of dislike
Noun
  • The arbitrator also ordered the city to pay Biscari back wages and benefits as well as the legal costs that Local 42 accrued in pursuing the grievance.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Wage raises, access to union health plans, turnaround times and grievance procedures are all on the table.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • Foreign perpetrators have been linked to previous acts intended to incite hatred.
    — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of hatred
Verb
  • The search giant has refused to license content from news organizations and publishers, while other AI labs have done licensing deals.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For Jordan, that battle has meant staying grounded in his faith and refusing to let the disease isolate him.
    — Essence, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of refuse
Noun
  • Regarding her own father, former Hollywood lighting director Thomas Markle, there is such entrenched bitterness, and this situation makes any reconciliation far from likely.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The biggest casualty, says Srivastava, will be the goodwill between India and the United States, built after decades of bitterness over Washington's support of India's adversaries like Pakistan.
    — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of bitterness
Verb
  • Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Joaquin, denied the charges.
    — Luc Cohen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As press secretary, Jean-Pierre repeatedly denied reports regarding Biden’s mental fitness during his time in office.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of deny

Browse Nearby Words

grubstaking
grudge
grudged
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Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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