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

• down [chiefly British]
• grievance
• grudge
• score

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

The Left’s point is to drill home the notion that conservatism is all incoherent and barely stifled rage and resentment and not about ideas, principles, and the values of a moral, free society. —Doug Ducey, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025

This boundary-crossing behavior systematically erodes a couple’s autonomy, breeding resentment and powerlessness that can eventually culminate in divorce. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Most of the episode is technically a two-hander, but Giamatti is the obvious star of the show, conveying so much resentment, sorrow, and love in every expression. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Following the American Revolution, many in Maine began to express resentment about how the state legislature in far-off Boston administered the District of Maine, likening their situation to that of the American colonies before the Revolution. — Made By History, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1619, 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