resentful
- Adjective:
- Feeling or showing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly: Describes a state of harboring angry displeasure or persistent ill will, typically due to a perceived wrong, insult, or injustice.
- Characterized by or indicative of resentment: Marked by a sullen, brooding sense of grievance.
The adjective "resentful" describes a person's emotional state or an attitude/behavior that stems from that state. It is often followed by the preposition "of," "about," or "at" to indicate the cause or target of the resentment. - She felt deeply resentful of the unfair criticism. - He gave a resentful glare when his idea was dismissed. - A resentful silence filled the room after the decision was announced.
Describing a person's feeling:
- After being passed over for the promotion, Maria became increasingly resentful.
- The resentful employee began to undermine the new manager's authority.
Describing an action, tone, or expression:
- He spoke in a low, resentful voice.
- She shot him a resentful look across the dinner table.
Describing a general atmosphere or attitude:
- The team's resentful attitude was affecting overall morale.
- There was a resentful atmosphere in the office following the pay cuts.
"To be/become resentful of/at/toward(s) someone/something": This is the most common construction to specify the object of resentment.
- She grew resentful of her brother's success.
- The community was resentful at the government's neglect.
Used in a comparative or superlative form:
- John was the most resentful of all the team members.
- Her tone grew more resentful with each passing minute.
Resent (verb): To feel bitterness or indignation at (a circumstance, action, or person).
- He resents having to work late every day.
Resentment (noun): The feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury.
- Her resentment towards her colleague was palpable.
Resentfully (adverb): In a manner that shows resentment.
- He sighed resentfully and went back to his task.
- Bitter: Characterized by strong feelings of hatred, anger, or disappointment.
- Indignant: Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
- Aggrieved: Feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
- Sullen: Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy, often in a way that suggests latent resentment.
- Forgiving: Ready and willing to forgive.
- Content: In a state of peaceful happiness or satisfied acceptance.
- Appreciative: Feeling or showing gratitude or pleasure.
To harbor/bear/nurse a resentful grudge: To maintain a feeling of deep-seated resentment or ill will over a long period.
- He nursed a resentful grudge against his former business partner for years.
A resentful streak: A persistent tendency to feel or act resentfully.
- Beneath his cheerful exterior, he had a resentful streak.
- full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will
- resentful at the way he was treated
- a sullen resentful attitude