RESENTFUL Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

resentful

adjective

ri-ˈzent-fəl

Definition of resentful

as in angry

having or showing deep-seated resentment he is still resentful about being passed over for a promotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in jealous

having or showing mean resentment of another's possessions or advantages resentful of her cousin's wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 resentful Compromising works in your favor today, so no reason to be resentful. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Unsurprisingly, residents hate the idea and are resentful that they were blindsided by the announcement. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 In Agamemnon’s memory, Clytemnestra is as soft as Helen is hard, as fawning as Helen is resentful. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026 Attempting to be all things to all people is a recipe for feeling burnt out and resentful, and your best people-pleasing efforts could surely backfire. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentful

Adjective

Now a new Cherry Orchard, the work of another Australian auteur, Simon Stone, has put down roots in the cavernous drill hall of the Park Avenue Armory, and the angry young tutor goes even further.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Punk rock has always been tied to the idea that both artists and listeners are angry — frustrated with the system, furious at injustice.

— Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of angry

Adjective

But no need to be jealous because that was not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

— Jennet Jusu, Allure, 10 Sep. 2026
Nina Shipman, who came from a prominent show business family to star alongside Fred MacMurray in The Oregon Trail and step in for Grandpa in a ploy to make Lily jealous on one of the wackiest episodes of The Munsters, has died.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of jealous

Adjective

The film is certainly casting a spell, and whether or not that’s simply cynical (and insidiously effective) marketing doesn’t much matter when you’re caught up in it.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
There’s rom-com-style banter between Alice and her colleague Danny (Scoot McNairy), and cynical mentorship from FBI agent Nora (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), who has seen enough to drive her to drink.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of cynical

Adjective

In one scene, Amy heroically assuages an embittered foster kid by returning him to the memory of a fun school field trip.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
The phone-comedy discussion followed a scene in which Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein, the proudly embittered struggling comedians played by Klausner and Eichner, confront an up-and-coming digital creator.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of embittered

Adjective

Rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was sore but in good spirits on Sunday morning after he was struck by a pitch on the back of his right shoulder in Saturday’s victory.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Bank of America was a sore spot in the session as well, falling 5%.

— Sean Conlon,Elsa Ohlen,Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

After years of upheaval in Florida State athletics—including a then-unprecedented flirtation with private equity and a bitter legal fight with the Atlantic Coast Conference—the school has parted ways with athletic director Michael Alford.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Of course, Kiffin left, a bitter and acrimonious separation that played out over 14 agonizing days, just as the Rebels prepped for their first College Football Playoff game in history.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

Simmering in the background is a rancorous debate on whether to restrict Chinese AI models.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
His supporters rewarded him with a landslide victory, then held their tongues as the Conservative leader bowed to rancorous calls to resign amid the Partygate scandal after three years in office.

— Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Definition of rancorous

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“Resentful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentful. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of resentful

adjective

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