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

Synonyms of resentment

• grudge
• grievance

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

The root of Wilson’s resentment is that he was charmed by the pods version of Wilnie, who was temporarily free from real-life concerns and whose only job was to banter with him through a wall. — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

More than 130 Democratic candidates have run anti-tech ads this cycle, according to data shared first with Semafor, as the party capitalizes on growing public resentment against AI and the White House’s light-touch approach. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

By the time Ali’s memory comes roaring back, the sisters end up face to face again with a knife between them and a lifetime of resentment behind it. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

If that arrangement has started to grate, name the practical burden before resentment supplies the commentary. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resentment

• contentment
• presentment

Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

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