verb
begrudge
bih-GRUHJ
Begrudge (verb) means to resent someone having or receiving something, or to give something reluctantly. Example: “I don't begrudge her the promotion — she earned it.”
verb
1
To resent someone having or receiving something, or to give something reluctantly.
"“Trial’ll probably be Monday. You can keep him one night, can’t you? I don’t think anybody in Maycomb’ll begrudge me a client, with times this hard.”"
— Harper Lee (1960)
"Okay, then, next time you go and leave me stay here. See if I begrudge you a little fun."
— Avram Davidson, Or All The Seas With Oysters (1958)
"I don't begrudge her the promotion — she earned it."
"He begrudged every penny he spent on the repairs."
"A defeat would have been harsh on the Gunners, especially after an improved rearguard action in the second half, but few could begrudge the German side a point from a match they dominated for long spells."
— Sam Lyon, Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal (2011)
How to use begrudge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo feel resentful about something someone else has, or to do something unwillingly.
Common pairings
don't begrudge
begrudge someone their success
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- begrudges
- Past tense
- begrudged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I don't _____ her the promotion — she earned it.
Etymology
From Middle English bigrucchen, meaning "to grumble at" — built from be- plus an old word related to "grudge."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for begrudge
See all rhymes for begrudge →Frequently asked questions
What does “begrudge” mean?
The word “begrudge” means to resent someone having or receiving something, or to give something reluctantly. In plain terms, to feel resentful about something someone else has, or to do something unwillingly.
How do you pronounce “begrudge”?
“Begrudge” is pronounced bih-GRUHJ (/bɪˈɡɹʌd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “begrudge” in a sentence?
Here is “begrudge” used in a sentence: “I don't begrudge her the promotion — she earned it.”
What part of speech is “begrudge”?
“Begrudge” is a verb.
Where does the word “begrudge” come from?
The word “begrudge” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bigrucchen, meaning "to grumble at" — built from be- plus an old word related to "grudge.".
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