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

resentfully

ri-ˈzent-fə-lē 

adverb

resentfulness noun

Synonyms

• angry
• cynical
• embittered
• sore
• bitter
• rancorous

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

What starts as small talk always ends up in heated debates that leave me feeling drained and resentful. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Democrats who are the least racially resentful are the most likely to vilify and dehumanize Republicans. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Slightly, meanwhile, targets Joe as his patsy to smuggle a Xenomorph embryo out of Prodigy, still resentful that Wendy’s family is here safely while his mother is far away and being threatened by Morrow. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025

For Epictetus, gratitude is a way to avoid being resentful and bitter. —Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for resentful

• eventful
• uneventful

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

resentfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

resentfulness noun