grudging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of grudgingnext
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.

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grudging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grudge
as in disliking

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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
Adjective
And yet even some of Hanania’s most passionate detractors admit some grudging appreciation. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 Three structural fixes would convert most opposition into grudging acceptance, and even a meaningful share of that opposition into active support. — Warren Wimmer, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 But the pair have a grudging mutual respect that makes for a fun, strange-bedfellows partnership. — Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026 Now on the other side of it, Tampa appears to have found grudging inspiration from their bitter rivals in return. — Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grudging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudging
  1. careful
  2. disliking
  3. begrudging
  4. disapproving
  5. economical
  6. refusing
  7. covetous
  8. deploring
Adjective
  • Nick wants to be careful about their firm’s spending, but Serena reminds him that Cathcarts has every resource at its disposal.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Iranian regime will need to be careful before launching such an attack, or even before undertaking lesser forms of escalation.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Verb
  • For Pillsbury, the issue seems to be less about disliking the name itself and more about seeing the same joke repeated online.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The result is not a simple story of locals disliking tourists.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Definition of disliking
Adjective
  • With Ancelotti on the sideline, there may be more begrudging acceptance of that this time.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of begrudging
Verb
  • Martinez and Ishibashi play McConaughey and Harrelson’s real-life spouses like easily exasperated sitcom spouses, half disapproving wet blankets and half the only sane people in their respective families.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Rubio, meanwhile, came out of the deal with positive reviews from the pro-Israel crowd, who viewed his silence as disapproving of the concessions made in the deal.
    — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of disapproving
Adjective
  • If modernization isn’t feasible soon, running such workloads on-premises may be more stable and economical than forcing a cloud lift-and-shift.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Dollar Tree has economical yet festive football entertaining pieces that make a tailgate party stand out or a watch party easygoing.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of economical
Verb
  • The news comes amid ongoing tensions as the war in Iran persists, with Trump refusing a deal with Iran to open the Strait as recently as Saturday, impacting the world's oil supply.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In September 1644, Suffolk housewife Thomasine Stott was arrested for refusing to go to her state church.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusing
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
Definition of covetous
Verb
  • In March 2022, 141 countries supported a resolution deploring Russian aggression and demanding that Russia withdraw its forces.
    — Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of deploring

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Cite this Entry

“Grudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudging. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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