begrudging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of begrudgingnext
as in grudging

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begrudging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of begrudge
as in resenting
to have a resentful awareness of and desire for (another's possessions or advantages) or to feel resentment toward (someone) over possessions or advantages I don't begrudge you your success—you earned it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 begrudging
Adjective
With Ancelotti on the sideline, there may be more begrudging acceptance of that this time. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Philadelphia needs its rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz, to post 300 passing yards for a third consecutive week, because there is no running the ball against the Ravens, who have the most begrudging ground defense in the league. — David White, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2016
Verb
For Ukraine, this entire episode may seem like yet another bitter, existential betrayal by an American leader who has at times acknowledged a begrudging respect for Kyiv’s bold military tactics. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 Speaking of which, our final fancy-breakfast-table showdown of the season, in which Byron and Secretary Mullins manage to win the ever-begrudging Russian ambassador Maxim Petrov over to their plan. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026 Even with his flaws, Bouchard commands a begrudging respect across the league. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Lukas is the begrudging namesake of a federal bill aiming to change that. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 His theory might receive only begrudging mention in psychology textbooks, but it is used, directly and indirectly, in classrooms worldwide. — Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026 And no one is begrudging McAvoy and Swayman’s savoring the victory. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026 At the film’s center is Seyo Kim (Chen Emilie Yan), a meek state lawyer looking to make a difference, but who accepts, with begrudging sighs, her department’s 80% rate of dropping hate crime prosecutions as just another part of the job. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026 Joseph says their first customer came in, begrudging the $35 ribeye, only to order the soup. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begrudging
  1. grudging
  2. resenting
  3. envious
Adjective
  • But the respect the band had earned from the country firmament felt, at best, grudging.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But Penix had been medically cleared to return by Week 1, and backup Tua Tagovailoa, the grudging starter, injured an oblique in practice days before the opener.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of grudging
Verb
  • If work interrupts family time, name the boundary and offer a practical alternative instead of quietly resenting everyone involved.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
  • Dern replaced Carter as some sort of actress perhaps resenting her elder-stateswoman status.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Definition of resenting
Adjective
  • Wang failed her first attempt to defend her dissertation and became envious of her colleague's success in discovering how to deliver RNA to human cells using bacteria, Gomelsky told The Associated Press.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Gomelsky said Wang did not pass her first dissertation defense and became envious of her colleague's achievement in finding a way to use bacteria to deliver RNA to human cells.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of envious

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Cite this Entry

“Begrudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begrudging. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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