resentment

American  

[ri-zent-muhnt] / rɪˈzɛnt mənt /

noun

• resentments
  plural

1. the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., regarded as causing injury or insult.

   Synonyms:

   jealousy, envy, irritation, pic, dudgeon

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resentment British  

/ rɪˈzɛntmənt /

noun

1. anger, bitterness, or ill will

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-resentment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• resentments
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of resentment

First recorded in 1610–20; from French ressentiment, Middle French resentiment, equivalent to resenti(r) to resent + -ment -ment

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Explanation

Resentment, or the strong and painful bitterness you feel when someone does something wrong to you, doesn’t have actual physical weight, but it feels very heavy and can last a long time. Forgiveness is one way to get rid of resentment. Sometimes resentment lasts for years. It can be strong and hard to pull out, like an old, gnarled tree root. While resentment over being wronged can come from just one act against you, it also can get stronger over time, as in "your growing resentment might just come from the fact that the team captain always picks you last." It also comes from misunderstandings, like feeling resentment over a dirty look you thought was directed at you but really wasn't. It's usually best to root out resentment early.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

resentment resentments

At one point, Mariam announces flatly, with a hint of resentment, “We’ve cried out all our tears. We have none left.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Some residents expressed resentment about Iran’s interference at a time when Iraq, the world’s fifth-largest oil producer, is showing signs of an economic recovery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Citing the example of Metz, a city shaped by two world wars, Leo said in his homily that reconciliation was "only possible when one has the courage to break the chains of resentment".

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

Still, there’s clearly a lot of resentment among some Christian conservative women about husbands who don’t do chores.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

British prime minister Lloyd George worried that certain treaty terms would prove “a constant source of irritation,” stirring up resentment among the Germans.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

“The burdens of war and occupation had created a dense web of resentments and suspicions, of grudges and animosities, that did not simply fade away when the fighting ended.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

The company and its followers have long chafed at their second-class status, and last week’s iPhone unveiling reignited the resentments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Aboveground, Clark is trapped in his own resentments, throwing temper tantrums like a toddler.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

But as the years and resentments pile on, their cancerous brotherhood threatens to obliterate them both.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

She had no gift for small perturbations, mean-spirited resentments, concealed envies, works of charity, faded endearments, ordinary friendly politeness, or day-to-day acts of kindness.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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Related Words

• acrimony
• animosity
• animus
• annoyance
• antagonism
• bitterness
• cynicism
• displeasure
• exasperation
• fury
• grudge
• ill will
• indignation
• ire
• irritation
• malice
• outrage
• passion
• rage
• rancor

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