- present participle of grudge.
grudging
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of grudging
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; see grudge, -ing 2
Explanation
If you do something in a grudging manner (or grudgingly), you do it with reluctance. Doing homework, paying taxes, and saying sorry are all commonly done in a grudging manner. "Grudging apology" and "grudging acceptance" are probably the two most common uses of this word, which perhaps says something about our lack of grace as a species. The word derives from the medieval French word groucher, meaning "to murmur or mumble." A related word is grudge, meaning a long-lasting sense of ill will dating to a previous incident.
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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.
The strikes have drawn grudging recognition from Russian military analysts.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
The author cites Roosevelt’s critics prominently, and his own approval is grudging and qualified.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025
I don’t know if the government’s grudging confession of error played a role in the full court’s decision.
From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2025
But there was a sense, a grudging willingness among these Labour voters to give Sir Keir and the government more time.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2025
We said we could do it, and I thought Aragon felt the same respect and grudging affection for Cradle that I felt.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
