as in careful
said, done, or given in an unwilling or doubtful way
Her theories have begun to win grudging acceptance in the scientific community. He has earned the grudging admiration/respect of his rivals.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 grudging
Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
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
After decades of federal intervention and grudging reforms, the prison has largely shed that reputation.
—Anat Rubin, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2023
Carefully, that’s how, with grudging respect for the curveballs the asteroid can throw you.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for grudging
Adjective
Set a timeline for seeing real change — not just one grudging appearance, but consistent participation in your social life over the next few months.
—Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
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
After decades of federal intervention and grudging reforms, the prison has largely shed that reputation.
—Anat Rubin, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2023
Carefully, that’s how, with grudging respect for the curveballs the asteroid can throw you.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for grudging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudging
Adjective
-
China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
China and Russia are often described as caring deeply about sovereignty and disliking regime change for that reason.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Known for disliking public attention, Souter even forewent a Washington funeral.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And Villanelle has very begrudging respect for this woman.—
Dan Snierson,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2020
-
Philadelphia needs its rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, to post 300 passing yards for a third consecutive week, because there is no running the ball against the Ravens, who have the most begrudging ground defense in the league.—
DAVID WHITE,
New York Times,
16 Dec. 2016
Verb
-
Ahead of the final season, the Game of Thrones cast gathered to read through the series' last episodes, and some actors appeared either distraught or disapproving of how things ended.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
-
It was posed to be especially tough in front of Bening, who would be throwing out disapproving grandmother vibes in the TV standoff.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the foothills of the Andes Mountains, outside Santiago, Chile, Casa Oruga is a modern home that demonstrates the possibilities of combining design-forward architecture and economical shipping containers.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
-
Tubers are economical and offer variety, but pre-started plants provide instant results; stake taller dahlias for support.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has frequently been at odds with the NBA during his two terms in office, with big stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James refusing invites during his first term in office.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In a shocking decision in February, Prasad rejected Moderna’s filing, refusing to even review the vaccine.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Regardless of the level of material damage, Shiites are deploring the physical and spiritual assaults against their sacred landscape.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudging. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
