resentful
adjective
re·sent·ful
ri-ˈzent-fəl 
1
: full of resentment : inclined to resent
felt resentful of her success
2
: caused or marked by resentment
resentful anger
resentfulness
noun
Synonyms
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
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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
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.
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Kids Definition
resentful
adjective
re·sent·ful
ri-ˈzent-fəl
1
: full of resentment
felt resentful of her success
2
: caused or marked by resentment
a resentful reply to a letter
resentfulness
noun
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