resentment

1
2
as in jealousy
a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too I don't have any resentment over my friend's luxurious house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resentment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resentment are dudgeon, huff, offense, pique, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

When could dudgeon be used to replace resentment?

While the synonyms dudgeon and resentment are close in meaning, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When can huff be used instead of resentment?

While in some cases nearly identical to resentment, huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When might offense be a better fit than resentment?

Although the words offense and resentment have much in common, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When is pique a more appropriate choice than resentment?

The words pique and resentment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When is it sensible to use umbrage instead of resentment?

The meanings of umbrage and resentment largely overlap; however, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

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 resentment Simply mandating office attendance without a clear purpose could lead to resentment and disengagement. Jason Wingard, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 From the conservative grassroots Tea Party to the MAGA movement, Americans have long expressed deep resentment about the power the government wields over their daily lives. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 Employee satisfaction is rapidly decreasing, and employee resentment is rapidly rising. David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 Doesn’t that seem like an obvious way to breed resentment and, ahem, rebellion? Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resentment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment
Noun
  • An armed man accused of walking into a Walgreens location in California and shooting an employee to death this week allegedly had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, police said.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Theater owners gathered inside the Colosseum Theater at Caesar’s Palace on Monday didn’t seem to hold any grudges, and gave a warm welcome to the exec.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Love, hate, longing, jealousy, deception, passion, confusion, humor, loyalty and pain make for great drama.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The depictions of jealousy, vanity, and desire to main power provide a great opportunity to have real conversations with kids about these topics.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Sleep deprivation hampers your ability to deal with job stress and can unleash anger during your workday.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Walmart has issued a public response to a growing nationwide boycott that began Monday, as some Americans pledge to avoid the retail giant for a week in protest over a range of economic and political grievances.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • For all of the setbacks to trade liberalization, and the grievances expressed in Mr. Trump’s actions, the barriers have kept falling.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Noun
  • Jeff: When meeting with reporters on Wednesday, Chastain indicated he was mystified and offended by Logano’s post-race comments expressing frustration with the Trackhouse Racing driver.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Several owners of food and drink establishments have spoken with The Star in recent months to share their frustrations about property crimes affecting businesses across Kansas City.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Newcastle United fans will be used to the fact that they aren’t allowed to enjoy these occasions before sports journalists’ chin-stroking moral indignation takes hold.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentment. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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