grudging

adjective

grudg·​ing ˈgrə-jiŋ 

1

: unwilling, reluctant

a grudging supporter of the reform movement

a grudging admirer

2

: done, given, or allowed unwillingly, reluctantly, or sparingly

grudging compliance

grudgingly adverb

Did you know?

The English language has been carrying a grudge for a long time—since the 13th century to be exact, when it took the Anglo-French verb grucher/grucer and made it grucchen/grudgen. Both words meant “to grumble and complain” (and if their shared definition, combined with their spelling and pronunciation, reminds you of a certain furry green Muppet who lives in a trash can, you’re onto something: grouch is thought to be a grucchen descendant). Over time grucchen/grudgen became grudge, which picked up the additional, closely related meanings of “to be unwilling to give or allow” and “to allow with reluctance or resentment,” as when Virginia Woolf wrote “if you come to grudge even the sun for shining … fruit does not ripen.” Grudging, which developed from grudge, made its English debut in the 1530s, and has been used ever since to describe someone who is unwilling or reluctant (“a grudging supporter”) or something done or given reluctantly or sparingly (“grudging respect”).

Examples of grudging in a Sentence

Her theories have begun to win grudging acceptance in the scientific community.

He has earned the grudging admiration of his rivals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Things were going fair to middling with his candidacy until Biden’s catastrophic, catatonic debate performance in June, which caused a major Democratic freak-out and resulted in his grudging departure from the ticket and endorsement of Harris. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Nobody seemed to regard the idea as brilliant, and in general responses ranged from grudging acceptance to shocked scorn. —Eric Gordy, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2018

The relationship between the president and the Israeli prime minister has always been complicated, but characterized overall by a grudging, mutual respect. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024

Although short-lived, the secret channel was the earliest sign of U.S. policymakers’ grudging recognition that Palestinians would eventually have to play a role in the peace process. —Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2016

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of grudge entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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