grudge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of grudgenext
1
as in resentment
a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong he's had a grudge against her ever since she snubbed him at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will there's been a grudge between the two families for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grudge

2 of 2

verb

as in to dislike

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grudge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grudge are ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of grudge?

The words ill will and grudge can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When could malevolence be used to replace grudge?

Although the words malevolence and grudge have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than grudge?

While the synonyms malice and grudge are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When is malignity a more appropriate choice than grudge?

The words malignity and grudge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of grudge?

In some situations, the words spite and grudge are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When can spleen be used instead of grudge?

The meanings of spleen and grudge largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grudge
Noun
But the absence of their grudging leader and brightest light exposed differences both fresh and latent, and greed and ego frayed their alliances. —Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 But when the chance for revenge on Alexus comes, Raina is forced to let her grudge fall to the wayside to prevent her sister — and the entire empire — from being claimed by a bigger enemy. —Alyssa Davis, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
Clyde’s decades-long grudge against Harlan is not to be dismissed. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 June 2025 And that is not to say that sometimes that anger wasn’t righteous, and sometimes those grudges weren’t deserved. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
  1. resentment
  2. hostility
  3. dislike
  4. grievance
  5. hatred
  6. refuse
  7. deny
  8. feud
Noun
  • This creates an environment of disruption, resentment, siloes and even quiet rebellion against transformation efforts.
    — Kamales Lardi, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • He was also traumatized by the death of his mother, and resentment about security issues stems directly from this.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
Definition of resentment
Noun
  • In addition, citizenship can be revoked if an individual commits certain actions, including treason, serving in a foreign military engaged in hostilities against the U.S., or renouncing citizenship.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Advertisement Yet Indo-Pak relations haven’t always been defined by hostility alone.
    — Sam Dalrymple, Time, 14 July 2025
Definition of hostility
Verb
  • As producers of The Fugitive and its Big Pharma bogeyman could tell you, a good conspiracy is made even better when it can be aimed at someone or some group already disliked.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025
  • But the share of people who dislike BOTH parties is only 17%.
    — Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of dislike
Noun
  • After their move to California, the couple began to air their grievances in interviews and documentaries.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
  • Other factions have taken the opportunity to air their own grievances, including left-wing complaints that von der Leyen’s center-right group is too close to the far right, particularly on environmental rules.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of grievance
Noun
  • There’s a great tradition in sports of being driven by a fear, or a hatred, of that feeling.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • She’s been feeling so much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness, so much disappointment these last few episodes.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 July 2025
Definition of hatred
Verb
  • The Yankees’ lineup, meanwhile, didn’t put up a fight against Spencer Strider, who refused to surrender a run, walked three and struck out eight over six innings.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
  • Kirton on Friday acknowledged he’d been given the training directive in 2022, but said his attorney advised him against attending or signing the form because Bloomfield leaders refused to show them the investigative report.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • Yet for decades, tens of thousands of children in Hasidic yeshivas have been systematically denied access to that promise.
    — Adina Mermelstein Konikoff, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
  • Thompson didn’t deny the rumors and hard launched their relationship with a post of his own featuring Megan to his IG, recapping their Bahamas trip.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 July 2025
Definition of deny
Noun
  • Last week, King Charles and Prince Harry’s senior aides held a secret meeting, according to The Mail on Sunday, which was believed to be the first big step towards resolving the feud between them.
    — Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 July 2025
  • That declaration then provoked a lighthearted feud between the French President and Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of feud

Browse Nearby Words

grubstaking
grudge
grudged
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Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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