RESENTMENT Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'resentment' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resentment are dudgeon , huff , offense , pique , and umbrage . While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will. // harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

Q: When could 'dudgeon' be used to replace 'resentment'?

While the synonyms dudgeon and resentment are close in meaning, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation. // stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

Q: When can 'huff' be used instead of 'resentment'?

While in some cases nearly identical to resentment , huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause. // in a huff he slammed the door

Q: When might 'offense' be a better fit than 'resentment'?

Although the words offense and resentment have much in common, offense implies hurt displeasure. // takes deep offense at racial slurs

Q: When is 'pique' a more appropriate choice than 'resentment'?

The words pique and resentment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity. // in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'umbrage' instead of 'resentment'?

The meanings of umbrage and resentment largely overlap; however, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives. // took umbrage at the offer of advice

resentment

noun

ri-ˈzent-mənt

Definition of resentment next

as in grudge

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong if you continue to harbor resentment toward your father, you'll never be able to move on with your life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in jealousy

a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too I don't have any resentment over my friend's luxurious house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anger

the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity my resentment at being spoken to like I'm stupid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resentment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of resentment are dudgeon, huff, offense, pique, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

When could dudgeon be used to replace resentment?

While the synonyms dudgeon and resentment are close in meaning, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When can huff be used instead of resentment?

While in some cases nearly identical to resentment, huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When might offense be a better fit than resentment?

Although the words offense and resentment have much in common, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When is pique a more appropriate choice than resentment?

The words pique and resentment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When is it sensible to use umbrage instead of resentment?

The meanings of umbrage and resentment largely overlap; however, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

Examples 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 resentment This leads to resentment on both sides—employees feel micromanaged, and leaders grow frustrated with the lack of engagement. —

Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 The resentment is already palpable among lawmakers and their staff, with some questioning who is running the show. —

Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Dec. 2024 Of course, Brooks misses the irony that if this anti-Ivy League resentment drove voters, then is drove them to vote for the GOP ticket of two Ivy Leaguer grads, Donald Trump from Penn and J.D. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 28 Dec. 2024 So, your family members may have older resentments that acted as kindling. —

R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 28 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resentment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment

Noun

This one is steamy, full of pining and regret over past mistakes, made even more angsty because the two come from sports dynasty families with long-standing grudges.

Ellie K. Wilde, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
In those years, Machinists’ wages had not kept up with the massive jump in cost of living in the region, and the workforce still held a grudge after Boeing twice threatened to take production to its nonunion factory in South Carolina, resulting in a vote to end the Machinists’ pension plan.

Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2025