The resentment meaning is a bitter, lingering feeling of anger that comes from believing you, or someone close to you, were treated unfairly. Unlike a quick flash of temper, resentment tends to stay, often quietly, long after the event.
A worker passed over for a promotion they earned, a sibling who always did more chores, a friend who never repaid a favour: each can leave resentment behind. Below is a plain definition of resentment, how the word is used, and how it compares with envy, anger and grudges.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Bitter, long-lasting anger at unfair treatmentPart of speech
Noun (usually uncountable; plural resentments for specific ones)Pronunciation
ri-ZENT-muhntWord forms
resent (verb), resentful (adjective), resentfully (adverb)Origin
French ressentiment, from ressentir, to feel stronglyClose words
bitterness, grudge, indignationOpposite
forgiveness, goodwill, contentment
What does resentment mean, exactly?
To define resentment well, notice three traits that set it apart from plain anger:
- A sense of unfairness. You feel wronged, not just annoyed. Something happened that should not have.
- Time. It lasts. People often say resentment "builds" or "festers," because it grows when it is not dealt with.
- A target. It is usually aimed at a person, group or situation you hold responsible.
It is often unspoken. Many people who feel resentment never say so directly; it shows up instead as coldness, sarcasm or reluctance to help.
Resentment definition in use: examples
- Years of unpaid overtime left him with deep resentment toward the company.
- She tried to hide her resentment when her younger brother got the bigger room.
- The new rule caused resentment among drivers who felt it targeted them alone.
- He resents being treated like a beginner after ten years in the job.
- Her tone was polite, but there was a resentful edge to every reply.
How to use resent, resentful and resentment
The verb resent needs an object straight after it, whether a thing you dislike or an action you object to: resent the decision, resent being ignored. Avoid "resent to"; it is not standard. The adjective resentful describes a person or tone: a resentful glance, resentful of the attention.
Common pairings with the noun include harbour resentment (a formal phrase meaning to keep it inside), feel or nurse resentment, build up resentment, deep or simmering resentment, and resentment toward or against someone.
Resentment vs envy, anger and grudges
| Word | Core feeling | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Resentment | Bitterness at unfair treatment | Rooted in a sense of injustice |
| Envy | Wanting what someone else has | No wrong needs to have been done |
| Anger | Strong displeasure | Can be brief and immediate |
| Grudge | Refusing to let go of a past wrong | Often aimed at one specific event or person |
| Animosity | Active dislike or hostility | More open and outward |
Envy and resentment can mix. If you believe someone got a reward unfairly, you may feel both at once. A formal complaint about unfair treatment is a grievance.
Origin of the word
English borrowed resentment in the early 1600s from French ressentiment, which comes from the verb ressentir, built from re- (again, intensely) and sentir (to feel). Early English uses described a strong feeling of injury caused by an offence. Philosophers still sometimes use the French spelling, ressentiment, for a deep, long-held bitterness felt by people who see themselves as powerless.
Resentment meaning in daily life and public talk
The word turns up in relationships (unequal chores, broken promises), the workplace (unfair pay, credit stolen in meetings), family life (favouritism between children), and public life, where writers describe resentment between regions, classes or groups who feel left behind. Counsellors often describe it as a feeling that grows when hurt is not talked about, which is why advice on handling it usually starts with naming the unfairness out loud. Other emotion words are listed in people and feelings.
Frequently asked questions
Is resentment the same as hatred?
No. Hatred is intense dislike that may not involve any sense of being wronged. Resentment is narrower: it comes from feeling treated unfairly. Resentment can grow into hatred over time, but they are different words.
Can you feel resentment toward someone you love?
Yes, and it is common. Resentment often appears in close relationships, such as with partners, parents or siblings, precisely because people expect fair treatment from those they are close to.
How do you pronounce resentment?
Say ri-ZENT-muhnt. The s sounds like z, and ZENT is the loud part. The verb resent is ri-ZENT.
What does harbour resentment mean?
To harbour resentment means to keep bitter feelings inside instead of expressing or resolving them. It is a slightly formal phrase used in writing and speeches.
Is resent the same as re-sent?
No. Resent, said ri-ZENT, means to feel bitter about something. Re-sent, said ree-SENT, is the past tense of re-send, as in I re-sent the email. The hyphen helps avoid confusion.
What is the opposite of resentment?
Forgiveness is the most direct opposite, since it means letting go of the sense of injury. Goodwill and gratitude are also used to describe the reverse feeling.