resentment

resentment — noun

1. a simmering, long-lasting feeling of bitterness that builds up when someone beli

1.nounC2
Definition

a simmering, long-lasting feeling of bitterness that builds up when someone believes they have been treated badly, unfairly, or without proper respect.

Example

Ife felt deep resentment toward her boss after being passed over for promotion.

collocation: deep resentment toward [someone]

Years of unfair treatment at work bred a quiet resentment that was hard to ignore.

Common collocations
  • feel resentment
  • deep / bitter / simmering resentment
  • hold a grudge / bear resentment
  • cause / spark / breed resentment
  • resentment toward / against / at someone
  • resentment over something
Synonyms
  • bitterness

    suggests sustained hurt and disappointment, often with a sense of betrayal

  • grudge

    focuses on a specific past wrong that is remembered and held against someone

  • animosity

    stronger and more active hostility, often directed at a group or person

  • ill will

    a general desire for bad things to happen to someone, less emotional than resentment

Antonyms
  • contentment

    a peaceful state of satisfaction with what one has

  • gratitude

    thankfulness for what others have done, opposite of holding a grievance

Grammar Patterns

feel/have resentment toward/against/at someone/something

Usage Note

Usually uncountable; a countable use (e.g., 'a deep-seated resentment') appears occasionally to emphasise a specific instance. Common prepositions: 'toward', 'against', 'at', or 'over'.

Common Mistakes

I have resentment to him for what he said.
I feel resentment toward him for what he said.
The correct preposition after 'resentment' is 'toward', not 'to'.

❌ 'She resents from her colleague's success.' — 'Resentment' is a noun; use the verb 'resent' without a preposition: 'She resents her colleague's success.'

Word family

  • resent
    verbB2
  • resentful
    adjectiveC1
  • resentfully
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe negative feelings toward someone because of a past wrong, but they differ in duration, intensity, and focus. 'Resentment' is the broadest term — a slow-burning anger at unfair treatment, often with a sense of helplessness. 'Bitterness' adds hurt and disappointment, as though the person feels betrayed by life or by someone close to them. A 'grudge' is narrower: it is resentment nursed over a specific past event and actively held against a particular person. 'Animosity' is the most active and intense — it implies open hostility and a desire to oppose someone. 'Ill will' is the mildest: a general wish that things go badly for someone, without the emotional depth of resentment. For example, you might feel resentment after being overlooked for a promotion, hold a grudge against a friend who lied to you, and feel animosity toward a rival who has repeatedly sabotaged your work.

bitterness ↗grudge ↗animosityill will

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • nurse a resentment
  • harbour a resentment
  • breed resentment
  • stir up resentment

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From the Latin 're-' (again, back) and 'sentire' (to feel), forming 'resentire' (to feel again, to feel strongly in return). Passed through French 'ressentir' before entering English in the 17th century. The literal idea is 'to re-experience a wound or slight,' which captures the brooding, repetitive quality of the emotion.