A grudge is a strong feeling of resentmentA bitter feeling of anger because of a past wrong or unfairness. that someone keeps over time. As a verb, it can mean to keep feeling resentfulFeeling anger or bitterness toward someone because of something they did. toward someone, or to give or allow something unwillinglyIn a way that shows you do not want to do it..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɡrʌdʒ/
Easy pronunciation: GRUJ (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the stress is on the only syllable.
Noun: a lasting feeling of resentment or anger toward someone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Grudge Meaning
a lasting feeling of anger or resentment toward someone
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
Example: She has held a grudge against her former boss for years.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- grievance — Can fit in formal or legal contexts, but is not the most natural everyday substitute for this sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Grudge
Meaning 2
to keep feeling resentful toward someone
Part of speech: verb
Definition: bear a grudge; harbor ill feelings
Example: He still grudges his brother for what happened years ago.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- stew — Only a loose match; it suggests brooding or simmering with resentment rather than the standard verb use.
Meaning 3
to give, allow, or accept something reluctantly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: accept or admit unwillingly
Example: She grudged every minute she had to spend on the paperwork.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Grudge Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- grievance
verb: to keep feeling resentful toward someone
- stew
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People often confuse the noun grudge with grievance, but grievance usually means a complaint or wrong, not the feeling of resentment itself.
- The verb grudge is sometimes confused with refuse, but its main sense is more specifically to give or allow something unwillingly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does grudge mean?
Grudge usually means a lasting feeling of resentment. It can also be used as a verb meaning to feel resentful, or to give something unwillingly.
What are common synonyms for grudge?
For the noun, grievance is the closest listed synonym, though it is not a perfect everyday substitute. For the verb, stew can be a loose match when it means to brood resentfully.
Is grudge a noun or a verb?
It can be both. The noun means resentment kept over time, and the verb can mean to resent someone or to do something reluctantly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
