as in grudging
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as in resenting
to have a resentful awareness of and desire for (another's possessions or advantages) or to feel resentment toward (someone) over possessions or advantages
I don't begrudge you your success—you earned it
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Recent Examples of begrudging
Dan Snierson, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2020
Philadelphia needs its rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, to post 300 passing yards for a third consecutive week, because there is no running the ball against the Ravens, who have the most begrudging ground defense in the league.
—David White, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2016
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
At the film’s center is Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan), a meek state lawyer looking to make a difference, but who accepts, with begrudging sighs, her department’s 80% rate of dropping hate crime prosecutions as just another part of the job.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
While closures are a reoccurring feature of life in Big Sur — routinely forcing begrudging drivers to detour inland on Highway 101 or even the 5 Freeway — this was the longest stretch of time in recent history that travel along Highway 1 had remained truncated in some way.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
But consider it from the perspective of the begrudging founder of a progressive rock institution who would settle for nothing less than total reinvention with each record.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026
This helps make the world and characters feel even richer, giving you some vital looks into the relationships between key characters — like fleshing out the begrudging respect the ruthless mercenary Gafgarion feels for Ramza.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
It was already understood by then that, as part of the NCAA’s begrudging acceptance of athletes earning endorsement income, schools would be required to collect their players’ NIL contracts.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025
His ambitions get somewhat begrudging support from obvious Jim Halpert stand-in Mare (Chelsea Frei), the most competent journalist in the newsroom.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
And Villanelle has very begrudging respect for this woman.
—Dan Snierson, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2020
Philadelphia needs its rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, to post 300 passing yards for a third consecutive week, because there is no running the ball against the Ravens, who have the most begrudging ground defense in the league.
—David White, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2016
Verb
And no one is begrudging McAvoy and Swayman’s savoring the victory.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
At the film’s center is Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan), a meek state lawyer looking to make a difference, but who accepts, with begrudging sighs, her department’s 80% rate of dropping hate crime prosecutions as just another part of the job.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
While closures are a reoccurring feature of life in Big Sur — routinely forcing begrudging drivers to detour inland on Highway 101 or even the 5 Freeway — this was the longest stretch of time in recent history that travel along Highway 1 had remained truncated in some way.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
But consider it from the perspective of the begrudging founder of a progressive rock institution who would settle for nothing less than total reinvention with each record.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026
This helps make the world and characters feel even richer, giving you some vital looks into the relationships between key characters — like fleshing out the begrudging respect the ruthless mercenary Gafgarion feels for Ramza.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
It was already understood by then that, as part of the NCAA’s begrudging acceptance of athletes earning endorsement income, schools would be required to collect their players’ NIL contracts.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025
His ambitions get somewhat begrudging support from obvious Jim Halpert stand-in Mare (Chelsea Frei), the most competent journalist in the newsroom.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begrudging
Adjective
-
Facing pushback from France’s centrist and left-leaning cultural and media sectors, relations thawed for a time after Dati’s energy and determination won her grudging respect from some quarters amid hope that her combative style might be to culture’s benefit.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
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The TenderBoyz hop on a Gulfstream to New York to crash Pierpoint’s annual general meeting and announce their nefarious plan, with Whilimena’s grudging assistance.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Thanking someone for thinking of you, but declining an invitation will be more respectful to the invitee and yourself than resenting the commitment later.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
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Instead of resenting rivals, recognize that their efforts to raise the bar ultimately benefit your business, too, by attracting more customers, increasing overall demand and driving innovation across the board.—
Levi King,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mays’ Salieri is at once aghast at such loutish behavior and bitterly envious that Mozart is exceptional enough to get away with it.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Ward gives a softly wrenching performance as the protective but roilingly envious Harry, whose own musical dreams were lapped by his brother’s talent, and who must eventually admit the limits of his influence.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Begrudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begrudging. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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