resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt How to pronounce resentment (audio)
: 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 An American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 For him, the closures have fostered resentment and raised questions about wealth, poverty and political power. Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 As the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews has exploded — to more than one million people today, roughly 13 percent of Israel’s population, from about 40,000 in 1948 — those privileges and exemptions have led to resentment from secular Israelis. Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The codependency with — and resentment of — various yes-men. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Expansion-minded Chinese nationalists, coupled with China’s increasing contempt for Russian military weakness, are quite capable of harnessing China’s resentments over past defeats to turn on their diminished client state to the north. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 That outsize presence has perpetuated resentment among locals, who have complained of noise pollution, environmental damage and misconduct by U.S. troops. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 That was later seen as an early sign of his resentment of her status. Frederic J. Frommer, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2024 This assumption has created a sense of frustration and resentment within me. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near resentment

Cite this Entry

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

resentment

noun
re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt How to pronounce resentment (audio)
: a feeling of angry displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

More from Merriam-Webster on resentment

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