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 Carney acknowledged Alberta's longstanding resentment of federal energy policies. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 Players and media figures, many of whom were Black women, met her arrival with unmistakable resentment. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 One succinct but memorable subplot features a veteran casting director, Rhonda (Tracie Thoms), who, in the space of just a few scenes with Misty, evokes an entire work history, rife with resentment but also grudging respect. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 As two formidable women go head-to-head, their battle for the soul of Longview exposes the secrets, resentments, and desires lurking beneath its picture-perfect surface. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment

Noun

Phil Collins has let go of his decades-old grudge against Paul McCartney.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Most self-help books say anger and grudges are self-defeating — there’s that line everybody uses that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

— Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Based on a true story, the film follows a young woman whose romance with a married man sets off a dangerous chain of obsession, jealousy and betrayal.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of jealousy

Noun

We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
For property owners who poured their life savings into Camelot, the arrival of heavy machinery brings mounting anger over how local authorities handled the complex's long, troubled decline.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The unrest coincided with nationwide demonstrations in neighboring France against rising living costs and in support of high school students’ grievances.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
This comes as a national day of protest over rising costs of living and additional student grievances led to violence in Paris and other major cities today.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of grievance

Noun

Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That's despite voter frustration over high prices and the Iran war, and his own challenge of leading one of narrowest House majorities in modern times.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of indignation

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resenting

resentment

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Style

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

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Synonyms of resentment

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