grudge

1 of 2

verb

grudged; grudging

transitive verb

: to be unwilling to give or admit : give or allow reluctantly or resentfully
didn't grudge the time
grudger noun

grudge

2 of 2

noun

: a feeling of deep-seated resentment or ill will
held no grudge against those who mistreated him
Choose the Right Synonym for grudge

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of grudge in a Sentence

Verb I don't grudge paying my share. I don't grudge her the opportunities she has been given. Noun She still has a grudge against him for the way he treated her in school. He has nursed a grudge against his former boss for years. I don't bear him any grudges.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But the absence of their grudging leader and brightest light exposed differences both fresh and latent, and greed and ego frayed their alliances. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 But when the chance for revenge on Alexus comes, Raina is forced to let her grudge fall to the wayside to prevent her sister — and the entire empire — from being claimed by a bigger enemy. Alyssa Davis, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
With Rodgers, there’s always noise, always commotion, always a grudge. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 Did Drake and the Weeknd let go of their Grammy grudges and get back in the race? Thania Garcia, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grudge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grudge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English grucchen, grudgen to grumble, complain, from Anglo-French grucer, grucher, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German grogezen to howl

Noun

derivative of grudge entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grudge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grudge

Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grudge. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

grudge

1 of 2 verb
grudged; grudging
grudger noun
grudgingly
-iŋ-lē
adverb

grudge

2 of 2 noun
: a strong lasting feeling of resentment toward someone for a real or imagined wrong

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