begrudge

verb

be·​grudge bi-ˈgrəj 

bē-

begrudged; begrudging; begrudges

transitive verb

1

: to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure

begrudge money

begrudged the weeks spent away from home

2

: to look upon with disapproval or envy

begrudge their rivals' success

begrudger

bi-ˈgrə-jər 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• envy
• resent

Examples of begrudge in a Sentence

She's worked hard to get where she is. You shouldn't begrudge her the success she's earned.

After what he's been through, it's hard to begrudge him the money he has.

You shouldn't begrudge her success.

Many commuters begrudge every minute spent in traffic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here's What Happens Though the movie missed at the box office in its opening weekend, filmmaker Coppola is unlikely to begrudge a lack of financial success. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024

The stalwart Abbott Elementary staff has so much to contend with in the Season 4 trailer above, who wouldn’t begrudge them a raise — or at least a restocking of paper towels. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2024

Why should anybody begrudge Bill Gates his fortune, or Steve Jobs his fortune? —Foreign Affairs, 10 Jan. 2016

Of course, no one wants to begrudge a bride a gorgeous, meaningful wedding day. —Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begrucchen, from be- be- + grucchen, gruggen "to murmur, grudge entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

begrudge

verb

be·​grudge bi-ˈgrəj 

: to give or do reluctantly

begrudge a person a favor

begrudgingly

-ˈgrəj-iŋ-lē 

adverb