resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Synonyms of resentment

• grudge
• grievance

Choose the Right Synonym for resentment

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of resentment in a Sentence

She bore bitter feelings of resentment toward her ex-husband.

He's filled with resentment at his boss.

He expressed his resentment of the new policies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Frustrated Illinois residents are pushing to break away from Chicago and form a new state, driven by what the movement’s leader calls growing resentment over the city’s influence on the rest of Illinois. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

There is widespread resentment among opposition politicians and the Israeli public over how Netanyahu waged the war, especially his resistance to cease-fire agreements that could have saved the lives of more hostages. — Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026

But resentment has grown as hundreds of young soldiers have been killed in battle and tens of thousands have been pulled away from families and careers for reserve duty. — Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Gangs of armed Americans fanned local resentment of immigrants and steadily drove them off their claims and out of the country. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resentment

• contentment
• presentment

Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of angry displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury