grudge 1 of 2

grudge

2 of 2

verb

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
Alongside impossibly strong grannies, Dana must also contend with a dangerous prisoner now enjoying some posthumous freedom and a gun-toting drug dynasty with one almighty grudge. Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025 Just a man with a grudge using his television show to smear us instead of trying to understand us. Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grudge
Noun
  • None of that is his fault, but frustration built up in the fanbase and developed into resentment from a section.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Still, longtime fans had resigned themselves to watching grainy clips on YouTube, concluding that the resentment between the Gallaghers ran too deep to ever prompt a reunion.
    Paula Mejía, Vulture, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • But these weaknesses stem largely from underfunding and political hostility – not from any intrinsic flaw in the model.
    Sumit Agarwal, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
  • In our experience we were met with outright hostility for our Christian beliefs.
    BJ, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Those who responded shared a variety of reasons for disliking the drone show.
    Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • My father dislikes firework shows, for all the reasons that a man who passed his youth squeezing a trigger in the name of God and country dislikes firework shows.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
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
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
Verb
  • In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
  • Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • There are few templates for denying a nomination to a statewide incumbent in Connecticut, but Lamont is more familiar than most with what’s required: primarily, a compelling reason to reject someone.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025
  • Paxton, during the trial, denied having the affair.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The brief feud came on the heels of the tragic news that Master P's daughter Tytyana had died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in May 2022.
    Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • But the former chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party and longtime member of the Republican Party of Kentucky's executive committee can't force the outspoken representative from Northern Kentucky, who's caught in an escalating feud with President Donald Trump, out of office.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grudge. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grudge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!