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 Even among the Allies, there were deep divisions, lingering resentment, and few agreements. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 June 2026 Militia commanders were already feeling slighted by their British overlords, and London’s stranglehold on trade and manufacturing caused still more resentment. Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 They are governed by military juntas that staged coups fueled by resentment toward old Western partners and democratic governments. Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 And there’s this racial angle that creates enormous resentment, fear, tension, anger, hate between the descendants of the exiles and the descendants of those who remain behind. David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment
Noun
  • Most weddings have some logistical drama — exes with grudges, estranged former besties, etc.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
  • That's a grudge he's carried that he's described publicly.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2026
  • Whether your emotions understood the assignment, an uncomfortable revelation could expose jealousy, control issues, fears or the fact that a power dynamic has shifted.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Research shows over half of American travelers feel exhausted, with one in five admitting to booking a trip out of anger.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Newsom, eyeing a presidential run in 2028, has spoken in recent months about populist anger directed towards tech executives whose companies have earned billions while their products threaten to automate jobs out of existence and suck up precious environmental resources.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • One fan, wearing perhaps the only white Ecuador jersey in the stadium, loudly aired his grievances near the team bus after the conclusion of the game.
    Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
  • That 7 percent of Makerfield voters chose Restore—even in the knowledge that doing so might deprive another anti-immigration party of victory—points to a deep well of racial grievance and anti-establishment anger that even Farage cannot command.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Disciples of this extremist hatred are running for office and winning in select primaries.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026
  • But to the man himself, comedy is—like life—first and foremost about hatred of death.
    Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • But without knowing the reasons behind those decisions, the criticism amounts to nothing more than frustrations over unmet expectations.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction.
    Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • He was deservedly sent off after a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi, before grabbing the referee’s arm and tossing it to the side in indignation.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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