resentful

adjective

re·​sent·​ful ri-ˈzent-fəl How to pronounce resentful (audio)
1
: full of resentment : inclined to resent
felt resentful of her success
2
: caused or marked by resentment
resentful anger
resentfully adverb
resentfulness noun

Examples of resentful in a Sentence

She is resentful about being demoted. She gave me a resentful glare. a resentful letter to the editor
Recent Examples on the Web Most gratifying in Newnham’s investigation is how Hite reclaimed her own positive sense of self in exile through some key female friendships: a love goddess finding refuge with like-minded souls after a bruising battle with unenlightened, resentful mortals. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The collapse of the Soviet Union marked, to some American commentators, the end of history and the triumph of western liberal capitalism — a delusion, as the world moved to a new geopolitical conflict between China and the United States, and with the aggression of a resentful Russia. Martin Daunton, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023 Antek’s ornery, new-widower dad, Maciej (Mirosław Baka) is the wealthiest man in the region, but refuses to hand over any part of his substantial landholdings to his children leaving his strapping son brooding and resentful. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023 And there’s a difference between Jagger’s resentful swagger and Lydon’s valiant jeremiad. Armond White, National Review, 15 Sep. 2023 So far, Trump has apparently persuaded resentful Republicans that the indictments are a political plot against him. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023 When their father appears to change his mind — swooping into the city to find human prey, slicing them open with a curved dagger and removing their hearts to be liquified in a blender and drunk as a blood smoothie — the five grasping siblings descend on the house, all resentful entitlement. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2023 Now sustainability decisions have come down to the local level, leaving Wakefield residents resentful after feeling left in the dark on a crucial project. Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023 At Adam’s urging, the household takes in his new classmate, Chloe (Kylie Rogers), her prideful dad (Josh Hamilton) and resentful big brother (Michael Gandolfini), who had been living in their car, unable to find employment under the new regime. Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resentful.' 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

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resentful was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near resentful

Cite this Entry

“Resentful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentful. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

resentful

adjective
re·​sent·​ful ri-ˈzent-fəl How to pronounce resentful (audio)
1
: full of resentment
felt resentful of her success
2
: caused or marked by resentment
a resentful reply to a letter
resentfully adverb
resentfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on resentful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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