as in resentments
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
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Recent Examples of grudges
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
With a few exceptions, this cast is rife with petty grudges and trivial scandals that make for perfect competition-show fodder.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025
Or holding onto grudges instead of healing?
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Aug. 2025
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film blends sharp humor with aching self-reflection as the pair navigates a whirlwind of public tributes, old grudges and family estrangements, forcing both men to confront the choices, compromises and identities that have defined their lives.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Refreshingly enough, Hank’s not one to hold grudges.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
As with Kaji, these personal grudges rise to a societal level; characters in Grier’s films frequently bemoan the corrosive influence of hard drugs on Black communities, for example.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
As grudges go, isn’t that long enough?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
With a few exceptions, this cast is rife with petty grudges and trivial scandals that make for perfect competition-show fodder.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025
Or holding onto grudges instead of healing?
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Aug. 2025
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film blends sharp humor with aching self-reflection as the pair navigates a whirlwind of public tributes, old grudges and family estrangements, forcing both men to confront the choices, compromises and identities that have defined their lives.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Refreshingly enough, Hank’s not one to hold grudges.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
As with Kaji, these personal grudges rise to a societal level; characters in Grier’s films frequently bemoan the corrosive influence of hard drugs on Black communities, for example.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudges
Noun
-
People-pleasing turns into resentments.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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As their mismatched personalities stir tension with each other — and the group — old resentments bubble up, forcing them to reckon with their relationship and the lives waiting for them back home.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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After the couple settled in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries.—
Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The sprawling nature of the assailant’s rantings and grievances led government officials and other observers to zero in on single pieces of information immediately after the attack, which also injured 16 children and three adult parishioners.—
Ernesto Londoño,
Twin Cities,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Although many philosophers and theologians accept mortality as an inevitable and indeed defining feature of human existence, Kurzweil refuses to accept this line of thinking.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
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Dusk refuses, choosing ruin instead.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudges. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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