GRUDGING Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

grudging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of grudging

as in careful

said, done, or given in an unwilling or doubtful way Her theories have begun to win grudging acceptance in the scientific community. He has earned the grudging admiration/respect of his rivals.

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grudging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grudge

as in disliking

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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 grudging

Adjective

Three structural fixes would convert most opposition into grudging acceptance, and even a meaningful share of that opposition into active support. — Warren Wimmer, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 But the pair have a grudging mutual respect that makes for a fun, strange-bedfellows partnership. — Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026 Now on the other side of it, Tampa appears to have found grudging inspiration from their bitter rivals in return. — Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026 The grudging answer was usually yes. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grudging

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudging

Adjective

Getting to that point required careful control of stress during fabrication.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Huntsinger, playing along with Variety’s should-win/will-win Emmy prediction game, drew a careful line.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of careful

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

Definition of begrudging

Verb

Now look, there is nothing wrong with opposing the Ellisons or disapproving of changes over this past year at CBS News.

— Chris Wallace, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Rubio, meanwhile, came out of the deal with positive reviews from the pro-Israel crowd, who viewed his silence as disapproving of the concessions made in the deal.

— Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Definition of disapproving

Adjective

Although Ventura County already procures renewable electricity through a community choice energy program, local generation is expected to offer a more economical route to meeting its sustainability targets.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Stax so his drumming was so solid and in the pocket, economical with his high hats, a joy to hear.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of economical

Verb

Biscayne 21’s declaration — the document that establishes the condominium — required a unanimous vote to terminate the building’s condo association, a goal that seemed unlikely with a group of residents refusing to sell.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Court records show Romo was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication and first offense OWI.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of refusing

Adjective

Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.

— Matt Kamen, Wired News, 3 Aug. 2025

Definition of covetous

Verb

In March 2022, 141 countries supported a resolution deploring Russian aggression and demanding that Russia withdraw its forces.

— Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Regardless of the level of material damage, Shiites are deploring the physical and spiritual assaults against their sacred landscape.

— Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026

Definition of deploring

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grudging

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Style

“Grudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudging. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of grudging

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verb

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