resentment

noun

re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt How to pronounce resentment (audio)
Synonyms of resentment
: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Synonyms of resentment

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offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of resentment in a Sentence

She bore bitter feelings of resentment toward her ex-husband. He's filled with resentment at his boss. He expressed his resentment of the new policies.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Say what’s bothering you before resentment takes over the conversation. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026 Her words are not of gratitude but resentment, bile and narcissism. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Linney’s Guardian tries to draw out some resentment from her new candidate, but John expresses (or feigns) sympathy for Hal, who was betrayed by his father figure Sinestro, an experience John likens to his own complicated upbringing. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 So pretending imbalance isn't happening — like when one partner is regularly absorbing all the work and smiling through it — just delays the same resentment that often festers in exchange relationships. — Mark Travers, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resentment was in 1613

Rhymes for resentment

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Browse Nearby Words

resentive
resentment
resequent
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Cite this Entry

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resentment. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

resentment

noun
re·​sent·​ment ri-ˈzent-mənt How to pronounce resentment (audio)
: a feeling of angry displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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