noun
Uncommon
resentment
rih-ZEHNT-muhnt
Resentment (noun) means a bitter, lingering anger caused by feeling wronged or treated unfairly. Example: “Years of resentment built up after he was passed over for the promotion.”
noun
1
A bitter, lingering anger caused by feeling wronged or treated unfairly.
"Years of resentment built up after he was passed over for the promotion."
"She spoke with quiet resentment about the way her ideas had been ignored."
How to use resentment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grudge-like anger that simmers rather than explodes, usually because someone feels they were treated unjustly.
Common mistake
Resentment is usually long-lasting and internal, unlike sudden anger; don't use it for a brief flash of irritation.
Common pairings
harbor resentment
deep resentment
a sense of resentment
resentment toward someone
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Word forms
- Plural
- resentments
Fill the gap
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Years of _____ built up after he was passed over for the promotion.
Etymology
From "resent" plus "-ment", ultimately from French sentir, "to feel" — the same root as "sentiment" and "sensation".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for resentment
See all rhymes for resentment →Frequently asked questions
What does “resentment” mean?
The word “resentment” means a bitter, lingering anger caused by feeling wronged or treated unfairly. In plain terms, a grudge-like anger that simmers rather than explodes, usually because someone feels they were treated unjustly.
How do you pronounce “resentment”?
“Resentment” is pronounced rih-ZEHNT-muhnt (/ɹɪˈzɛnt.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “resentment” in a sentence?
Here is “resentment” used in a sentence: “Years of resentment built up after he was passed over for the promotion.”
What part of speech is “resentment”?
“Resentment” is a noun.
Where does the word “resentment” come from?
The word “resentment” comes from French. From "resent" plus "-ment", ultimately from French sentir, "to feel" — the same root as "sentiment" and "sensation".
Is “resentment” a common word?
“Resentment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between resentment and anger?
Anger is a more immediate, often short-lived emotional reaction to something, while resentment is a bitter, lingering anger that builds up over time from feeling wronged or treated unfairly. Resentment tends to be held onto and can affect a person's attitude long after the original incident.
What is the difference between resentment and jealousy?
Resentment is bitterness caused by feeling wronged or unfairly treated, and it doesn't necessarily involve wanting what someone else has. Jealousy specifically involves wanting something another person possesses, such as their success or relationship, and can be one cause of resentment but is not the same feeling.
What causes feelings of resentment?
Resentment typically arises when a person feels they have been treated unfairly, overlooked, or wronged, and the anger from that experience lingers rather than fading quickly. It can build gradually from repeated slights or stem from a single significant injustice.
