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

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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

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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

Are there any other grudges to know about heading into the week? — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Within the first 10 minutes of the match on Monday, which was also the anniversary of that game, the Mexican fans reminded the world of their 12-year grudge against the Oranje. — ABC News, 30 June 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

The men exude contentious authority in various ways, from the grandee’s circumspect command and Uncle Jeb’s sly omniscience to the mechanic’s viperish resentment and Billy’s acerbic flirtation.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Affection, physical touch, flirting and playfulness become less frequent, replaced by stress, conflict and growing resentment.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of resentment

Noun

Iran doubled down on its demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, insisting that the US and its allies unfreeze its assets and end hostilities across the region.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As the specter of rising interest rates and hostilities in the Middle East remain wildcards, skeptics are holding firm.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

The is mostly a political one that the far-right uses to stoke prejudice and hatred against a community already victimized by that and bullying.

— Greg Cote August 9, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Nordic noir suggests the presence of violence and hatred beneath the tranquillity and order of the Scandinavian welfare state, just as Southern noir peels back hospitality and charm to reveal repressed family secrets and moral decay.

— Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Verb

But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuse

Noun

Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
The tea supplies tannins and bitterness while maple and orange recreate that familiar balance of sweet, bitter and citrus.

— Ryan Brennan August 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitterness

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grubstaking

grudge

grudged

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“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of grudge

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verb

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