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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grudging
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Among his old Mount Vernon crew, there is a grudging acceptance of their diminished role in the legend.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Their odd-couple pairing became a magnificent slow burn of hatred into grudging respect into genuine affection, making for a tantalizing will-they-won't-they.
—Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Those revenues supported limited federal spending—on average only about 3% of gross domestic product compared to 23% today—for a few grudging investments in infrastructure.
— Made By History, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grudging
Verb
In Spielberg’s hands, Jaws was a lot more than a terrifying great white shark; the characters of Quint, Hooper and Brody are indelible, their grudging camaraderie bolstered by the film’s centerpiece: the chilling tale of the USS Indianapolis.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Among his old Mount Vernon crew, there is a grudging acceptance of their diminished role in the legend.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Their odd-couple pairing became a magnificent slow burn of hatred into grudging respect into genuine affection, making for a tantalizing will-they-won't-they.
—Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Those revenues supported limited federal spending—on average only about 3% of gross domestic product compared to 23% today—for a few grudging investments in infrastructure.
— Made By History, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grudging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudging
Adjective
-
Be careful of triggering an argument.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Clearly, the Times cannot be punished either for disliking him or for trying to defeat him.—
Stephen L. Carter,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Clearly, the Times cannot be punished either for disliking him or for trying to defeat him.—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
18 Sep. 2025
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
-
The latest YouGov/Economist poll put his latest approval rating at an all-time low, with 39 percent approving and 57 percent disapproving.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Before the city council voted to temporarily suspend the anti-discrimination law, nearly a dozen residents spoke in front of the dais disapproving the action.—
Rachel Royster
September 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Storage and safe transport back to Earth, presuming governments and markets decide that bringing helium-3 home is economical, adds further complexity.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Clarify how equity-centric design enables the organization to collectively go the distance regardless of environment, economical and legislative shifts and obstacles.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Jimmy’s quick return is not proof of corporate backbone—massive station groups Sinclair and NexStar are still refusing to air the show.—
Lizz Winstead,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Earlier this month, another passenger was dragged off a plane by police for allegedly refusing to wear a seatbelt.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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This is, in part, correct: Voldemort is extremely covetous of power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
His other goal in his preceding 24 appearances — stabbed in from close range from a corner in another 6-0 Carabao Cup win, this time at Oxford United in round two — was mundane by comparison.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The Dalmatian's owner looks on and smile, filming the moment from her own phone at a closer distance.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudging. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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