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
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.
In the update, Cumberbatch and Colman play a seemingly perfect husband and wife with the perfect family, but underneath the façade is a powder keg of resentment and fierce competition that eventually blows. Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 Musk’s fingerprints abound across the sections of Grokipedia that address subjects of his own resentments. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025 Over the years, resentment built up as his father brushed off his attempts to talk about the situation. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 Ignoring your needs only builds quiet resentment later. Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resentment was in 1619

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentment. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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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