resentful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- resentfully adverb
- resentfulness noun
- unresentful adjective
- unresentfully adverb
- unresentfulness noun
Etymology
Origin of resentful
Explanation
If you are resentful of someone, you feel ill will toward him, mixed with envy, like when a newer coworker gets the promotion you've been working toward for years. The verb resent comes from the word for "feeling," but we only use it to talk about bad, stinging feelings. You might resent having to work late, but if your boss pays you a higher wage for overtime, maybe you’ll be less resentful. When there are clear inequalities among people, it often makes them resentful. Someone who wears themselves out doing heavy labor might be resentful of their boss who never breaks a sweat but earns more money.
Vocabulary lists containing resentful
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Breadwinner
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
One chapter focuses on the “depleting, frustrating, resentful boredom” that defined his experience of parenting young children.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
At the same time, the results of the study also suggest that coalition building is possible, even among the racially resentful.
From Salon • Jan. 19, 2026
When Dave screws up, you get a performance improvement plan and Dave gets resentful.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025
She is resentful of Blundy, thwarted in her career, simmering with resentment.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025
“I see. She felt resentful toward her boss. Tempted by a challenge. Wanted a more exciting life. Do you know what you’re describing?”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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.
