grudge 1 of 2

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
Trump is harboring an obvious political grudge against Bolton, one that started with revoking his security clearance and Secret Service detail immediately after taking office (even though credible threats against Bolton's life have been publicly reported). Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 This year’s grudge clash between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights is being held in Baltimore. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
Noun
  • The second myth is that a partner should automatically know and provide for your needs—a belief that leads to resentment when unspoken expectations aren't met.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Hidden resentments could be poisoning your work-life balance.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For example, in a fiery defense of federal aid to the citizens of Alabama and Georgia devastated by recent Native American hostilities, Adams invoked Congress’s war powers, while calling attention to a deeper hypocrisy.
    Time, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Even countries like Iran, which have long used the Palestinian cause as a pretext for hostility, would now face a diplomatic reckoning.
    Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Having students experience that environment lowers the risk of employers hiring someone who dislikes it.
    Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Still, to adapt an old Jewish joke, some anti-Zionists dislike Israel a little more than is necessary.
    Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pat Craig, executive director of the animal sanctuary, aired his grievances on social media in May, stirring up outrage over the building plans.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Politicians in both countries have instrumentalized the hostility to win legitimacy, selectively playing up grievances with the other side.
    Thomas de Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And hatred rather than ideology is the animating force?
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • More violence, more anger, more hatred.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the affidavit, a detective noted that Decker — who was divorced from his daughters’ mother — refused to sign a parenting plan that required him to seek mental health treatment and domestic violence anger management.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
  • These include satellites apparently so secret that the US government refused to identify the agency that owns them.
    Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
    Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Blessed with tender skins and jammy interiors, fresh figs can offset the tang of tomatoes and bitterness of salad greens.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The organization denied any criminal activity.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Peng denies such ties, and says Pony’s Chinese expertise may give it advantages in the US — despite the hostile political climate.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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