GRUDGE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudge

as in resentment

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong he's had a grudge against her ever since she snubbed him at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been a grudge between the two families for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grudge

2 of 2

verb

as in to dislike

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Cohan plays Catherine ‘Cat’ Keegan, a former homecoming queen whose small-town charm has sharpened into something fiercer thanks to decades of old grudges and regrets. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Most self-help books say anger and grudges are self-defeating — there’s that line everybody uses that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

Bondi, in a memorandum also signed by Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, blended grudging compliance with open disrespect. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 In previous books, the antipathy between the women was not subtle, although there does seem to be grudging respect in later interactions. — Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge

Noun

So the replies to my comment brought that resentment to the surface, and many replies called the organizer a grifter, a con-artist, and many much more colorful words.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
Plenty of Helen’s rage is driven by her resentment at the spy-wife label, of course.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of resentment

Noun

With instant messaging yet to be invented, 11 am—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—was chosen to be the time when hostilities would officially cease in order to allow news of the armistice to reach the front lines.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Trump has floated the possibility of restarting hostilities with Iran after the midterm election.

— Justin Papp,Caleigh Keating,Garrett Downs,Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of hostility

Verb

Park recalled shopping with her mother, who dislikes heavy clothing and insists that garments feel light and comfortable, a preference that has informed her own designs.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
The ballot initiatives about data centers At least 38 jurisdictions voted on the sprawling facilities needed to power AI, and Tuesday revealed how many voters dislike them.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of dislike

Noun

Indeed, how this film plays with Japan’s atomic grievances, tapping into a generation’s latent rage and the notion that opportunity is just tragedy that has shed its skin, feels like a culmination of 30-plus years of storytelling with the character.

— Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026
The suspect may have had a financial grievance, and authorities are investigating whether it's tied to the bank, sources told ABC News.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of grievance

Noun

Orlando should be proud of the people who gave those words meaning by refusing to let hatred go unanswered.

— Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The exchange is one of many contentious clashes between those who oppose data centers in their communities, which have earned bipartisan hatred, and those advocating for them.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Verb

Since Tuesday's election, he's refused to acknowledge any responsibility, placing blame on the candidates.

— STEVEN SLOAN, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
All attuned to the issues that concern younger generations, who refuse to be stratified by shopworn political shibboleths.

— James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of refuse

Noun

The bitterness this caused would help lead to the rise of radical elements in Germany—Erzberger was murdered in 1921, and Hitler would come to power over the next decade—eventually bringing about the Second World War.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Joseph Zada is beyond impressive in a highly demanding role that pushes him to the limit physically and emotionally, perfectly capturing the essence of Haymitch with all the sympathy, charm and bitterness Woody Harrelson brought to the role.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Verb

The victory denies Abbott a fourth term and elevates an Austin state representative who built her campaign around public education, household costs and criticism of the state's Republican leadership.

— Blaise Gainey, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The measure speeds permitting approval under the California Environmental Quality Act by placing deadlines on government agencies to issue or deny permits within a year.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of deny

Browse Nearby Words

grubstaking

grudge

grudged

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Style

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of grudge

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verb

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