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grudge

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grudge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of grudge?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When could malevolence be used to replace grudge?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than grudge?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When is malignity a more appropriate choice than grudge?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of grudge?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When can spleen be used instead of grudge?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grudge
Noun
Trump has held a public, longstanding grudge against VOA, Politico noted. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025 When Mia came onto the franchise, her ability to let insults roll off her back was an asset; a cast that holds grudges is the nail in the coffin for any franchise. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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 Putin’s apparatus has pivoted in recent days to grudging acknowledgment that the likely culprits had an agenda unrelated to Ukraine: revenge for years of carnage carried out by Russian security forces in Syria, Chechnya and other Muslim states. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Datta writes that Indians had faced violent treatment at the hands of Japanese forces, even if the Chinese community bore the brunt of the Japanese hostility.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • People who dislike Phish do so with equal fervor, often while making jokes about the degenerative effects of LSD on the prefrontal cortex.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Disagreements can often come from employees who dislike change or cannot see the whole picture.
    John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Walmart has issued a public response to a growing nationwide boycott that began Monday, as some Americans pledge to avoid the retail giant for a week in protest over a range of economic and political grievances.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • For all of the setbacks to trade liberalization, and the grievances expressed in Mr. Trump’s actions, the barriers have kept falling.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, block unwanted calls and messages and refuse to provide financial information in response to an unexpected request.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Noboa refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela after his staged 2024 election and is also committed to fighting criminal gangs with all available resources to restore peace and security in Ecuador.
    Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • An immigration judge denied her bond request Wednesday, citing her as a flight risk and danger to the community.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Citing information from an informant who officials have said is credible, the Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, a claim his family and attorneys deny.
    Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The roots of the Murray-Dreyfuss feud, unbelievably, go all the way back to the May 13, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live, which Dreyfuss hosted just weeks after winning a Best Actor Oscar for The Goodbye Girl.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Musk and top Trump adviser feud over tariffs: 'Dumber than a sack of bricks' A 10% tariff on all U.S. trading partners went into effect on Saturday.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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