GRUDGE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudge next

as in resentment

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong he's had a grudge against her ever since she snubbed him at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been a grudge between the two families for years

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grudge

2 of 2

verb

as in to dislike

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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

The others include a teenage star of video games; a young woman awaiting a heart transplant; a priest with a vow of silence; a guard with a grudge against the bank; a fake receptionist; and Ernest’s fiancé, Juliette. —

Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026 Internal drama — employee hook-ups, power plays, longstanding grudges — share space with the mix of the mundane and the outrageous that constitutes a typical day in a typical big-city emergency department. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026

Verb

Industry compliance has been grudging, slow and marked by extensive litigation. —

Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 So who could this grudge-holding mystery actress be? —

Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge

Noun

Rather than silently internalizing tension, partners who processed small relational strains together appeared better able to maintain emotional connection and prevent resentment from accumulating.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Wilde and Seth Rogen play longtime marrieds harboring a laundry list of resentments who host their upstairs neighbors (Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton) for an evening of fun.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Definition of resentment

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grubstaking

grudge

grudged

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“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of grudge

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