grudge 1 of 2

grudge

2 of 2

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
But the absence of their grudging leader and brightest light exposed differences both fresh and latent, and greed and ego frayed their alliances. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 But when the chance for revenge on Alexus comes, Raina is forced to let her grudge fall to the wayside to prevent her sister — and the entire empire — from being claimed by a bigger enemy. Alyssa Davis, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
In the End, Tommy Fleetwood's Character Will Prevail Despite this awkward situation, Fleetwood has no plans to hold too many grudges about what happened. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
Noun
  • What better excuse to bring together a motley crew of characters who know exactly how best to push one another’s buttons and dredge up long-simmering resentments in the process?
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Those sentiments — resentment that Black people did not appreciate California’s efforts at desegregation, anger that Black people would resort to violence — suggested a core of white discontent.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health.
    Jo Causon, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Time and again the president has expressed optimism after speaking with Putin about winding down the hostilities.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Prime Minister Winston Churchill so disliked a portrait commissioned for his eightieth birthday that his secretary burned it.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Some of the gentry dislike her, but the lower orders have a great regard for her.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But all of that doesn’t seem to extend to Prince William, and now the brothers will have a chance to see each other and finally air out their grievances.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Aug. 2025
  • That illusion shattered in the fall of 2023, exposing the fragility of a region held together by diplomatic pragmatism but roiled by unresolved grievances.
    Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Republican Party has nothing positive to say about any person, place or thing that Trump disparages in his rants of hatred.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2025
  • However, Kelly’s hatred towards Beyoncé is well-documented and the singer’s fans have noticed.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While many rideshare companies refuse to pay affiliate commissions, Obi has built a parallel revenue stream via a data business selling anonymized, aggregated insights.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Agencies refused to release Neal’s autopsy and the Florida Highway Patrol’s report of the crash, and the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office had declined to comment on whether further charges are pending.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The goal of Gastineau’s memorandum is to convince U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who is presiding over the case, to deny the motion to dismiss and advance the case into pretrial discovery.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Shaw then asked if her boyfriend or a friend could pick up her son since his documents were up to date, but she was again denied, Thorward said.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The latest news out of the British royal family is that the feud between King Charles and Prince Harry could soon come to an end.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In the latest chapter of their online feud, the former NFL wide receiver has agreed to fight the 42-year-old rapper’s husband with $10 million on the line.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grudge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!