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

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

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 And while the papers capture the disappointment of a nation in their headlines, there is growing resentment online regarding England manager Thomas Tuchel’s baffling decision to sit back and defend the Three Lions’ lead so early on. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 This resentment has been simmering for a year, one player said. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 Honest conversations, practical boundaries and a little vulnerability will get you further than quiet resentment. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 The confrontation between father and daughter, in which Taylor-Joy unloads Lucky’s resentments about growing up in the life, is one of the season’s most barbed moments. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment

Noun

Any person in Nathan’s position would be justified in feeling angry, but the fact that the person in question is Nathan — famously an explosive grudge-holder — only makes matters worse.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Despite all of the damage that Mindich’s case has done to Fire Point’s reputation, Shtilerman holds no grudge against him.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

The short follows Vasilly, whose jealousy over his best friend’s sudden career success feeds a dark supernatural force growing within him.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 July 2026
In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

Definition of jealousy

Noun

Gallup polling found Gen Z’s anger toward AI rose from 22% to 31% over the past year, even as regular usage held roughly steady around half of the cohort, meaning a generation that keeps using a tool it’s increasingly frustrated with.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Although it’s expected that the Players Association would file a grievance on Bader’s behalf, union chief Bruce Meyer declined comment in the immediate wake of the news, as did Major League Baseball.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
McCoy had no interest in validating Clark's latest grievance tour.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of grievance

Noun

Considering the deep-rooted hatred that defined the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry, Neely was the ultimate villain.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Engelbert will meet with the executive committee of the players’ union on Tuesday to discuss the recent uptick in online hatred and threats directed toward players.

— Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Big brands, which are highly sensitive to public pressure, have become an easy target for frustration.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Early today, the Pisces Moon may stir private doubts or behind-the-scenes frustration as Venus highlights work and wellness .

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of indignation

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“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentment. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of resentment

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