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 Instead of stirring resentment or scorn, the films inspired people. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 Barr also expressed resentment over the way the show wrote off her character, claiming Roseanne Conner died of an opioid overdose. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 Perhaps there's resentment that so much power has shifted to the voters. — David Wade, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Wasson detects a lingering resentment in the poor Sicilian kid gazing up at the idle rich. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment

Noun

Compared with Vance’s and Hegseth’s grudges, though, Kushner’s concerns about the Continent run deep.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Both sides were aware that Acton’s mother carried a grudge against her daughter.

— Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

Fischer and Wilson’s bawdy fable is predominately about how this flammable hunk makes the rest of the villagers burn up with jealousy.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Her unexpected romance with the creation (Alexander Skarsgård) sparks jealousy in the village.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of jealousy

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

Burks said much of the frustration is connected to top leaders who provide insufficient training.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

Like its first season, season two of The Lowdown follows Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a freelance journalist and bookstore owner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a nose for trouble and a hefty dose of quixotic, self-righteous moral indignation.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of indignation

Browse Nearby Words

resenting

resentment

resentments

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Style

“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentment. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of resentment

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