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grudge

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grudge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of grudge?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When could malevolence be used to replace grudge?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than grudge?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When is malignity a more appropriate choice than grudge?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of grudge?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When can spleen be used instead of grudge?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grudge
Noun
So who could this grudge-holding mystery actress be? Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 Emotional players are fun because there is nothing greater than watching a contestant with a grudge ignore logic, reason, and strategy to exact that grudge at all costs. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Verb
Co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the film blends sharp humor with aching self-reflection as the pair navigates a whirlwind of public tributes, old grudges and family estrangements, forcing both men to confront the choices, compromises and identities that have defined their lives. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 Refreshingly enough, Hank’s not one to hold grudges. Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
Noun
  • Failure to do so may cause resentment, misunderstandings, and passive aggressively loud blender usage.
    Sarah Schmelling, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
  • But old resentments surface before long, escalating into a fist fight.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • After decades of entrenched hostility, there are early, though admittedly fragile, signals that both Lebanon and Syria may be reconsidering their approach to Israel.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The war ended with a lopsided Israeli victory, and with Iran scrambling to find more ways to punish and deter Israel if hostilities resumed.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Here’s a look at more interesting likes and dislikes Payton’s outlined at the podium in his time on the Front Range.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sprawling nature of the assailant’s rantings and grievances led government officials and other observers to zero in on single pieces of information immediately after the attack, which also injured 16 children and three adult parishioners.
    Ernesto Londoño, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2025
  • During a recent White House cabinet meeting, Rubio pivoted from policy discussions to expressing his grievances with those who elect to hold weddings on Saturdays that feature a full football slate.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Rivalries that are long in tenure and thick with hatred define college sports in the Deep South, where football is second only to faith in some places.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Examples abound of men with histories of misogyny – often expressed online – who go on to commit violent crimes in the name of their hatred.
    Will Carless, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The airline reserves the right to refuse transportation to plus-size passengers who cannot be safely accommodated.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The white negroni gets its pleasant bitterness from gin infused with pine nuts.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The water cleanses the palate, while the lokum balances the drink’s bitterness.
    Ali Halit Diker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • All three Cabinet members denied wrongdoing.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Judge Gary Arnold denied the motion Thursday morning.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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