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

Thus, our heroes must peel themselves off from the couch and go on the run with their resentful felines Dio and GG bouncing along in backpacks. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Compromising works in your favor today, so no reason to be resentful. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

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

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