grudge

verb

ˈgrəj 

grudged; grudging

transitive verb

: to be unwilling to give or admit : give or allow reluctantly or resentfully

I don't grudge paying my share.

grudger noun

Examples of grudge in a Sentence

I don't grudge paying my share.

I don't grudge her the opportunities she has been given.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, however, Iranian classical musicians have ridden many looping cycles of official condemnation, grudging tolerance, censorship and attempts at co-option by the regime. —Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026

Ira Wertenteil chooses to believe the Peabody-Whitehead Mansion has no ghostly grudge against him. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025

Bondi, in a memorandum also signed by Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, blended grudging compliance with open disrespect. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

In previous books, the antipathy between the women was not subtle, although there does seem to be grudging respect in later interactions. —Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grucchen, grudgen to grumble, complain, from Anglo-French grucer, grucher, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German grogezen to howl

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing grudge

• grudge match

Rhymes for grudge

• budge
• drudge
• frage
• fudge
• judge
• mudge
• nudge
• rudge
• sludge
• smudge
• trudge
• adjudge

Kids Definition

grudge

1 of 2 verb

ˈgrəj 

grudged; grudging

: begrudge

grudger noun

grudgingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb

grudge

2 of 2 noun

: a strong lasting feeling of resentment toward someone for a real or imagined wrong