Synonyms

resent

American

[ri-zent] / rɪˈzɛnt /

verb (used with object)

to feel or show displeasure or indignation at (a person, act, remark, etc.) from a sense of injury or insult.

resent British

/ rɪˈzɛnt /

verb

(tr) to feel bitter, indignant, or aggrieved at

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of resent

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French ressentir “to feel (an emotion),” from Old French res(s)entir, equivalent to re- re- + sentir “to feel,” from Latin sentīre; see sense

Explanation

To resent something is to feel anger or bitterness toward it. You might resent someone who has treated you poorly. To resent is a strong, negative feeling. You may resent the accusation that you were stealing cookies, or when a teacher yelled at you for whispering, even though everyone else was too. You might resent a friend who has more money or friends than you. Lots of people resent celebrities because they're famous and wealthy. If your friend borrowed a sweater and didn’t return it, you would probably resent it. Resenting is the opposite of being grateful.

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Vocabulary lists containing resent

The Diary of Anne Frank

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List 3

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ACT Vocabulary List

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Resent them freely and with my full approval.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2020

Resent them so much that they have to denigrate the entire profession, just so they can feel better about themselves?

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2013

Q. Resent my young adult kids: I have three college age kids.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2011

Be thou, my lord, the noble son, And the vile deed my sire has done, Abhorred by all the virtuous, ne'er Resent, lest thou the guilt too share.

From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Griffith, Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin)

Resent the law as we may, it is none the less true that renunciation brings with it a mysterious initiation, a finer insight.

From Different Girls by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023