Synonyms

grudgingly

American

[gruhj-ing-lee] / ˈgrʌdʒ ɪŋ li /

adverb

reluctantly or unwillingly; not generously or with a good will.

He tried to evade the work and the responsibility until the very last moment and then grudgingly, finally, exasperatingly did his job.

Etymology

Origin of grudgingly

grudging ( def. ) + -ly

Compare meaning

How does grudgingly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

grudgingly vs. begrudgingly

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.

A top Fidesz official grudgingly admitted that Magyar has "a brutal energy", which his own camp often lacks.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

That could mean the biggest AI stocks won’t be afforded the luxury of patience that investors have grudgingly provided.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Ms. King grudgingly allowed production to proceed but swore “that she would never attend a performance, and would not promote the show, or be involved in any fashion. Never, ever.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

Asked to evaluate the deal moments after the Clippers defeated the Thunder in January 2024, George grudgingly acknowledged that the pendulum had swung toward Oklahoma City.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

Call went along, somewhat grudgingly, because I was unwilling to explain my great zeal for work.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

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