resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Synonyms of resentment

• grudge
• grievance

Choose the Right Synonym for resentment

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of resentment in a Sentence

She bore bitter feelings of resentment toward her ex-husband.

He's filled with resentment at his boss.

He expressed his resentment of the new policies.

Recent Examples on the Web

McBride, like all good satirists, cranks up the volume of those resentments and insecurities, in the process revealing a new way to see the world. — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026

Clear information gives everyone a fair chance to ask questions and prevents resentment from filling in the missing details. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

The resentment and anger remain so strong in Mississippi that someone gave Kiffin a vial of holy water during Monday’s news conference for his return to Oxford in Week 3 as the Tigers’ coach. — Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Poor rest tends to breed resentment, while deeper sleep can strengthen a partnership. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resentment

• contentment
• presentment

Kids Definition

resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt 

: a feeling of angry displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury