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 That gap is not primarily a story about rising working-class racial resentment. — Nicholas Jacobs, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 Say what needs to change, keep the fix specific, and protect your energy before resentment starts narrating the whole situation. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026 The Pisces Moon in your 6th House of Work and Wellness opposes Venus in your private 12th house, so fatigue, resentment, or unspoken expectations could leak into daily tasks. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026 In fact, the solar eclipse in Leo could shed light on everything from exhaustion and unconscious patterns to hidden resentments. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resentment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resentment

Noun

Christian, convinced a nobleman had done it, had the man executed without much proof, a grudge that helped cost him his crown a few years later.

— Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Lynn Rogers, who served as Kelly’s first lieutenant governor and was later appointed state treasurer, said Lawrence is somebody who holds onto grudges.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of grudge

Noun

There are also more complicated emotions, like jealousy, that fabulous women are allowed to express more fully.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Because, as has been extensively covered, of jealousy and the fact that many associate her fans with being on the political right.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of jealousy

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

Noun

Survivors have expressed frustration and criticized the Japanese government's support for nuclear deterrence for being insincere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly commented on their investigation for weeks, deferring questions to the district attorney — who acknowledged the public’s frustration.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of indignation

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“Resentment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resentment. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of resentment

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