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
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.
Amber Tamblyn starred as Tibby, who, with her green-streaked hair and resentful attitude, is among the more rebellious girls in the sisterhood. EW.com, 28 June 2025 Set in the not-very-distant future, cancer has been cured, meaning people are living well past 100, but still retiring around 65 or so, and their demands for the social safety net destroys the economy, leaving a frightfully resentful younger generation with the burden. Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025 Not that Greenhalgh is in any way bitter or resentful about any part of his experience at Inter. Stuart James, New York Times, 31 May 2025 The grief of this loss has left him unengaged with his new life, resentful of Olga for her busy military career surveilling orbital debris, and uninterested in making friends. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for resentful

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resentful was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Resentful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentful. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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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