grudging

[gruhj-ing]

adjective

1. displaying or reflecting reluctance or unwillingness.

   grudging acceptance of the victory of an opponent.

Other Word Forms

• grudgingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grudging¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; grudge, -ing ²

Example Sentences

But there was a sense, a grudging willingness among these Labour voters to give Sir Keir and the government more time.

From BBC

I had been making predictable salads — kale, romaine, a grudging nod to cabbage — and the book, which catalogs more than forty varieties of greens, seemed like the sort of thing that might inspire transformation.

From Salon

They butt heads, but, wild guess, they’ll come to form a grudging mutual respect.

From Los Angeles Times

While compliance with court orders has at times been grudging, the President and Congress have consistently respected Marbury in the end because it is part of the glue that holds the Constitution together.

From Salon

Prosper the Dodgers have, leading to some grudging acceptance from that longtime Giant.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid 
• averse 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• hesitant 
• loath 
• shy 
• slow 
• squeamish 
• uncertain 
• wary