resentment
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resentment
First recorded in 1610–20; from French ressentiment, Middle French resentiment, equivalent to resenti(r) to resent + -ment -ment
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.
Vocabulary lists containing resentment
Touching Spirit Bear
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"The First Day of School," Vocabulary from the short story
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Carrie Fisher (1956-2016) Tribute List
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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.
Do you relate to your characters’ Gen-Z resentment that previous generations screwed them over?
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
With South Africa's unemployment rate of nearly 33 percent -- significantly higher when discouraged job seekers are included -- there is particular resentment towards working migrants.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
If the reader starts to feel pangs of resentment about this laundry list of expectations — well, we’re reminded that marriage is hard for a man too.
From Salon • May 8, 2026
Giving evidence via video-link, Carlson said: "There was interaction and sometimes anger and hostility between my mother and Nancy; there was resentment seemingly bubbling up."
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
I didn’t understand until he said it that part of my ennui had been resentment.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
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.
