GRUDGE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'grudge' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will , malevolence , malice , malignity , spite , and spleen . While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction. // never one to harbor a grudge

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ill will' instead of 'grudge'?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration. // ill will provoked by a careless remark

Q: When could 'malevolence' be used to replace 'grudge'?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct. // a look of dark malevolence

Q: When might 'malice' be a better fit than 'grudge'?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. // felt no malice toward their former enemies

Q: When is 'malignity' a more appropriate choice than 'grudge'?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness. // a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Q: In what contexts can 'spite' take the place of 'grudge'?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. // petty insults inspired by spite

Q: When can 'spleen' be used instead of 'grudge'?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice. // venting his spleen against politicians

grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudge

as in resentment

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong he's had a grudge against her ever since she snubbed him at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will there's been a grudge between the two families for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grudge

2 of 2

verb

as in to dislike

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grudge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of grudge?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When could malevolence be used to replace grudge?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than grudge?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When is malignity a more appropriate choice than grudge?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of grudge?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When can spleen be used instead of grudge?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

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 grudge

Noun

Cohan plays Catherine ‘Cat’ Keegan, a former homecoming queen whose small-town charm has sharpened into something fiercer thanks to decades of old grudges and regrets. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 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

Verb

Bondi, in a memorandum also signed by Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, blended grudging compliance with open disrespect. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 In previous books, the antipathy between the women was not subtle, although there does seem to be grudging respect in later interactions. — Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge

Noun

Behavioral science research shows that when change is imposed from above, employees push back productivity drops, and resentment rises.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
The episode was a bitter lesson for the group, resulting in resentment and division.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of resentment

Verb

Where King’s Margaret actively disliked her daughter—viewing her as the polluted spawn of the night her drunken husband effectively raped her—Sloyan’s Margaret clearly loves Carrie, wanting only to protect her from a world of sin and depravity.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Three people who actively dislike each other, agreeing publicly that everyone should slow down.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dislike

Noun

The nationwide marches were meant to reflect broader dissatisfaction with the French government, with protesters taking to the streets to air a range of different grievances.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Ontide management reported that worker turnover attributable to harassment and unresolved grievances had declined substantially; however, the report did not provide figures to quantify that change.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grievance

Noun

The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

But few, if any, can match the tradition, scale, and bitterness of the yearly clash between Alabama and Tennessee on the third Saturday in October.

— Austin Evans, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026
Written with a reporter’s sharp eye for detail and a remarkable lack of anger or bitterness, this is a compelling story of courage and grace.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterness

Verb

This month, it was denied access to the plane for a trip to Georgia and Florida.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
In response, Amy Helm accused Parillo of financial exploitation and elder abuse of Sandra Helm in a June court filing; Parillo denied those charges.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of deny

Browse Nearby Words

grubstaking

grudge

grudged

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Style

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grudge

noun

verb

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