Definition

Noun: * Intense resentment or jealousy: A feeling of bitter indignation, often mixed with envy, typically caused by another person's success, advantage, or good fortune.

Usage

The noun "heartburning" is a formal or literary term used to describe deep-seated, often secret, resentment. It is typically used in contexts involving rivalry, competition, or perceived unfairness. It is commonly found in the construction "cause heartburning" or "much heartburning."

Examples

• The sudden wealth of their former neighbor caused heartburning in the community.
• There was heartburning among the senior staff when the young associate was made a partner.
• His rapid promotion was the source of much heartburning.
• The decision to award her the prize resulted in considerable heartburning among the other contestants.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies that the resentment is internalized and gnawing, like a "burning" feeling in one's heart, rather than openly expressed.
• It can be used to describe collective discontent within a group: "The new policy created widespread heartburning in the department."

Variants and Related Words

• Heartburn (noun): While literally meaning a painful burning sensation in the chest from indigestion, it is etymologically related but not a direct synonym for the emotional sense of "heartburning."
• Heartburned (adjective, archaic): An old form meaning resentful or discontented.

Synonyms

• Resentment
• Jealousy
• Envy
• Grudge
• Bitterness
• Ill will

Antonyms

• Contentment
• Satisfaction
• Pleasure
• Approval
• Goodwill

Noun

1. intense resentment
   • his promotion caused much heartburning among his rivals