resentful

adjective

re·​sent·​ful ri-ˈzent-fəl 

1

: full of resentment : inclined to resent

She felt resentful about being demoted.

2

: caused or marked by resentment

resentful anger

resentfully

ri-ˈzent-fə-lē 

adverb

resentfulness noun

Synonyms of resentful

• 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

Unsurprisingly, residents hate the idea and are resentful that they were blindsided by the announcement. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026

In Agamemnon’s memory, Clytemnestra is as soft as Helen is hard, as fawning as Helen is resentful. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Attempting to be all things to all people is a recipe for feeling burnt out and resentful, and your best people-pleasing efforts could surely backfire. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

From coast to coast, the people of the United States are growing resentful of AI. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 June 2026

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