begrudge

verb

be·​grudge bi-ˈgrəj 

bē-

begrudged; begrudging; begrudges

transitive verb

1

: to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure

begrudge money

begrudged the weeks spent away from home

2

: to look upon with disapproval or envy

begrudge their rivals' success

begrudger

bi-ˈgrə-jər 

bē-

noun

Synonyms

• envy
• resent

Examples of begrudge in a Sentence

She's worked hard to get where she is. You shouldn't begrudge her the success she's earned.

After what he's been through, it's hard to begrudge him the money he has.

You shouldn't begrudge her success.

Many commuters begrudge every minute spent in traffic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each Schauffele birdie was met with begrudging respect. —Brody Miller, The Athletic, 21 July 2024

Still, Cuomo has fond memories of his time at CNN and doesn't begrudge his former colleagues. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

The younger actor is still learning the ropes of Hollywood — and, indeed, nearly had his own reason to begrudge Netflix. —Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

So a moment of respect amid a 90-minute match is hardly begrudging the 38-year-old anything. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begrucchen, from be- be- + grucchen, gruggen "to murmur, grudge entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

begrudge

verb

be·​grudge bi-ˈgrəj 

: to give or do reluctantly

begrudge a person a favor

begrudgingly

-ˈgrəj-iŋ-lē 

adverb