grudge
1 of 2verb
ˈgrəj 
grudged; grudging
transitive verb
: to be unwilling to give or admit : give or allow reluctantly or resentfully
didn't grudge the time
grudger noun
grudge
2 of 2noun
: a feeling of deep-seated resentment or ill will
held no grudge against those who mistreated him
Synonyms
Noun
- down [chiefly British]
- grievance
- resentment
- score
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I don't grudge paying my share. I don't grudge her the opportunities she has been given. Noun She still has a grudge against him for the way he treated her in school. He has nursed a grudge against his former boss for years. I don't bear him any grudges.
Recent Examples on the Web
Caitlin Fitz, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2020 Corbyn, meanwhile, began to win grudging praise from the guardians of established opinion for his willingness to coordinate the resistance. David Graeber, The New York Review of Books, 13 Jan. 2020 Summing up, Nixon called for the Chinese to be bold and not grudging. William Mcgurn, WSJ, 26 Nov. 2018 Instant coffee, often relegated to brownie recipes and steak rubs, is making a comeback and even winning grudging approval from connoisseurs. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2019 And finally, a grudging first welcome to … the new pass interference rule in the regular season. Jonathan Jones, SI.com, 5 Sep. 2019 Smith presents a more modulated relationship of mutual if often grudging esteem and uneasy collaboration toward common objectives. Jean Edward Smith, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2019 After initial hesitation, President Obama declared that Assad must go, but without lending more than grudging assistance to rebel groups fighting to achieve that outcome. Brian Stewart, National Review, 10 Aug. 2019 But while there is some comic nature to booing and jeers aimed at Smith, there is also grudging respect. James Masters, CNN, 11 July 2019 Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Aug. 2022 Some tension existed between Garrett and Mayfield by the time the QB was traded to the Panthers July 6 because of the Odell Beckham Jr. saga last season, among other things, but Garrett holds no grudge. Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 But for Priscilla there is no grudge against the Colonel, who was played by Tom Hanks in the movie. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2022 Or perhaps the Daily Times editor nursed a grudge against the mechanic. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 Even the worst troll, the one who pummels you with criticism all day long and seems to have a grudge against society still has a soul and is still redeemable. John Brandon, Forbes, 20 June 2022 According to news reports from the time and subsequent historical accounts, the 34-year-old harbored a grudge against Harrington for having complained to superiors about his intimidating and unwelcome behavior. Hope Hodge Seck, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 An act by a lone gunman with a personal grudge does not necessarily portend a rise in gun violence in Japan. Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Moody, atmospheric cinematography gives a haunting aesthetic to this series, which is built around a killer with a grudge against the system. Andy Meek, BGR, 16 July 2022 See More
Verb
Their party was more likely to eschew deadly and costly violence in favor of grudging compromise and coexistence. Caitlin Fitz, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2020 Corbyn, meanwhile, began to win grudging praise from the guardians of established opinion for his willingness to coordinate the resistance. David Graeber, The New York Review of Books, 13 Jan. 2020 Summing up, Nixon called for the Chinese to be bold and not grudging. William Mcgurn, WSJ, 26 Nov. 2018 Instant coffee, often relegated to brownie recipes and steak rubs, is making a comeback and even winning grudging approval from connoisseurs. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2019 And finally, a grudging first welcome to … the new pass interference rule in the regular season. Jonathan Jones, SI.com, 5 Sep. 2019 Smith presents a more modulated relationship of mutual if often grudging esteem and uneasy collaboration toward common objectives. Jean Edward Smith, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2019 After initial hesitation, President Obama declared that Assad must go, but without lending more than grudging assistance to rebel groups fighting to achieve that outcome. Brian Stewart, National Review, 10 Aug. 2019 But while there is some comic nature to booing and jeers aimed at Smith, there is also grudging respect. James Masters, CNN, 11 July 2019 Noun
If he’s been left for over five years on a planet that’s essentially the universe’s trash heap, while his father’s been living on Earth, that’s certainly enough to create a grudge. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Aug. 2022 Some tension existed between Garrett and Mayfield by the time the QB was traded to the Panthers July 6 because of the Odell Beckham Jr. saga last season, among other things, but Garrett holds no grudge. Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 But for Priscilla there is no grudge against the Colonel, who was played by Tom Hanks in the movie. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2022 Or perhaps the Daily Times editor nursed a grudge against the mechanic. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 Even the worst troll, the one who pummels you with criticism all day long and seems to have a grudge against society still has a soul and is still redeemable. John Brandon, Forbes, 20 June 2022 According to news reports from the time and subsequent historical accounts, the 34-year-old harbored a grudge against Harrington for having complained to superiors about his intimidating and unwelcome behavior. Hope Hodge Seck, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 An act by a lone gunman with a personal grudge does not necessarily portend a rise in gun violence in Japan. Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Moody, atmospheric cinematography gives a haunting aesthetic to this series, which is built around a killer with a grudge against the system. Andy Meek, BGR, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English grucchen, grudgen to grumble, complain, from Anglo-French grucer, grucher, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German grogezen to howl
Noun
derivative of grudge entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing grudge
Kids Definition
grudge 1 of 2
verb
ˈgrəj
grudged; grudging
: begrudge
grudge
2 of 2noun
: a feeling of anger or dislike towards someone usually that lasts a long time
She's held a grudge against me since kindergarten.
…Lester welcomed us kids back onto his bus without a grudge… Ingrid Law, Savvy
Ingrid Law, Savvygrudged
verb
as in discountenanced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discountenanced
- deplored
- refused
- disliked
- denied
- disapproved
- withheld
- rejected
- censured
- disallowed
- revoked
- interdicted
- restrained
- suppressed
- frowned (at or on)
- curbed
- repressed
- hindered
- impeded
- disfavored
- checked
- forbade
- obstructed
- kept
- prohibited
- enjoined
- vetoed
- proscribed
- forbad
- banned
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- had
- suffered
- permitted
- allowed
- authorized
- licensed
- commissioned
- acquiesced
- agreed (to)
- green-lighted
- okayed
- warranted
- consented (to)
- assented (to)
- licenced
- acceded (to)
- OK'd