grudge

[gruhj] / grʌdʒ /

NOUN

hard feelings

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animosity animus antipathy bad blood bitterness enmity grievance hard feelings hate hatred ill will injustice malice rancor resentment

STRONG

aversion dislike hate injury malevolence maliciousness malignancy peeve pique spite spitefulness spleen venom

WEAK

bone to pick pet peeve

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendliness friendship good will happiness kindness liking love loving respect sympathy

WEAK

favor forgiveness

VERB

feel resentful; give unwillingly

Synonyms

STRONG

begrudge complain covet deny envy mind pinch refuse resent stint

WEAK

be reluctant be stingy hold back

Antonyms

STRONG

allow approve be content be generous be happy give grant offer sanction

WEAK

favor forgive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They could end up nursing a grudge that they paid $200 a night for a space that resembles a dingy roadside motel rather than a boutique experience.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The man who shot Abe, Tetsuya Yamagami, said he had held a grudge against the prime minister because of his ties with the Unification Church, which had bankrupted his family.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

So you’d think he might have a grudge.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

He also holds a grudge that his own creative interests were never given an opportunity to develop.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

He held a grudge about as well as he held his liquor, and he had a gift for making Kaz’s victories sound like they belonged to everyone.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

grudge

Example Sentences

Related Words