as in resentments
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
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Recent Examples of grudges
Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some can hold grudges for years.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
The move showcases House Republicans’ loyalty to the president and support for his political battles, as the vetoes had been seen as instances of Trump acting on political grudges.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Still, the Bulldogs’ defensive back doesn’t harbor any grudges toward Sanders, nor CU.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The strength of the Republican appeal to isolationism is essentially one of political revenge, a feeling that now is the time to settle old scores and old grudges.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And a rivalry richer with personal grudges.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2025
With tournament implications, personal grudges, and high emotions on deck, this SmackDown could set the tone for major storylines heading into Survivor Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
As far as grudges go, this one runs dangerously deep.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some can hold grudges for years.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
The move showcases House Republicans’ loyalty to the president and support for his political battles, as the vetoes had been seen as instances of Trump acting on political grudges.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Still, the Bulldogs’ defensive back doesn’t harbor any grudges toward Sanders, nor CU.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The strength of the Republican appeal to isolationism is essentially one of political revenge, a feeling that now is the time to settle old scores and old grudges.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And a rivalry richer with personal grudges.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2025
With tournament implications, personal grudges, and high emotions on deck, this SmackDown could set the tone for major storylines heading into Survivor Series.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudges
Noun
-
This one asks us to release what the Leo Full Moon revealed is no longer sustainable, especially around power, control, emotional attachments, and unspoken resentments.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
8 Feb. 2026
-
This kind of transparency builds safety and keeps small issues from snowballing into resentments.—
Molly Burrets,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Langmuir showed that the molecules oriented themselves in a consistent way, looking like little tadpoles with the hydrophilic head, the end that likes water, toward the water, and the hydrophobic tail, the end that dislikes water, sticking up into the air.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Sean Payton dislikes quite a few things.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Vitello began his availability on Monday with an unprompted airing of grievances that lasted about three minutes regarding how his final days as Tennessee’s head coach unfolded.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Tesh has also found himself on the receiving end of IP grievances.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Russia demands Ukraine cede eastern territory and renounce NATO membership; Kyiv refuses to surrender land without security guarantees.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The New York mayor acknowledges that tax hikes are painful but refuses to meaningfully cut spending.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudges. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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