resentment

Definition of resentmentnext
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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

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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

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 resentment Prosecutors said Rinderknecht’s motive stemmed from his troubled personal life and resentment of the rich. Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 10 June 2026 Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 White racial resentment is a predictable outgrowth of a cultural regime that has for decades insisted on racial categorization and affinity for everyone but white Americans. Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 Maxim voiced frustration that repairs weren’t happening quickly enough and resentment at the intrusion on his privacy as workers came in and out. Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment
Noun
  • Everyone at Spain knows the rules, and those close to Yamal and the team unit insist there has been no grudge at all from Yamal towards Olmo.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • But pretty soon the two interlopers into this small, grudge-holding but tight-knit community — the kind where, going back generations, everybody not only knows but is mightily resentful of everyone else’s business — develop a kind of outsider kinship.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • It's played as a moment of jealousy when his father compliments Tony, but some fans aren't so quick to view it as unintentional.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • Pay attention to what jealousy, comparison and avoidance are trying to show you.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • And public anger grew after video showed an activist being dragged by a private security guard while demonstrating at the site.
    Zana Cimili, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Just the pure, raw anger out of AJ McCarron here is second to none.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • But those prosecutions have largely been grievance-based, not aimed at keeping power.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • Gulf governments, meanwhile, have dabbled abroad as well, while trying to address grievances among their own Shia populations to prevent them from becoming pawns of Tehran.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • His sophisticated taste and hatred for carbs always brought a little humor to the job.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
  • The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has called for calm, but several far-right personalities in Great Britain and the United States—including Elon Musk—have used the attack to foment hatred against immigrants.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Kiley left the Republican Party earlier this year, citing frustration with partisanship.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • In Ghana, there also remains frustration at the old FIFA rules which dictated that once a player had represented a country at youth level, he was bound to it forever.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist.
    Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.
    Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentment. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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