Resentment Meaning
/ɹɪˈzɛnt.mənt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAnger or displeasure stemming from belief that one or one's group has been wronged or betrayed by others; indignation.
nounThe state of holding something in the mind as a subject of contemplation, or of being inclined to reflect upon it; feeling; impression.
Sentence Examples
He felt a resentment against his uncle for taking him in.
The resentment runs deep.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the betrayal, she felt deep ____ toward her friend for years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Years of ____ had built up between the two departments over the unequal distribution of resources.
Word Origin & History
From resent + -ment, after Middle French and French ressentiment (in Old French as recentement), from an archaic usage of the verb ressentir via Old French sentir, from Latin sentiō, sentīre (“to feel”). Compare Italian risentimento, Portuguese ressentimento, and Spanish resentimiento. Doublet of resentiment and ressentiment, the former attested slightly earlier.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour, was sharpened into particular resentment, by his having slighted one of her daughters."
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter III, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 19:
"Younger [Customs] examiners, who, perhaps, have not yet acquired the intuition resulting from years of experience, seem partly responsible for the closer examination of incoming luggage. Not only is this closer scrutiny arousing feelings of resentment among passengers, but it is causing serious delays in the departure of boat trains, many of which have been reaching their destinations two or three hours late."
— 1951 November, “Delays to Boat Trains”, in Railway Magazine, page 719:
"“I Love Lisa” opens with one of my favorite underappreciated running jokes from The Simpsons: the passive-aggressive, quietly contentious relationship of radio jocks Bill and Marty, whose mindless happy talk regularly gives way to charged exchanges that betray the simmering resentment and disappointment perpetually lingering just under the surface of their relationship."
— 2012 August 5, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15; originally aired 02/11/1993)”, in AV Club:
"It is a greater wonder that so many of them die, with so little resentment of their danger."
— 1651–1653, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1655, →OCLC:
"In my mind it is a ſign of a great deal of natural Integrity and inbred Nobleneſs of ſpirit, that maugre [in spite of] the heavineſs of his Complexion that thus ſtrongly bears him dovvn from apprehending ſo concerning Metaphyſicall Truths, yet he retains ſo vivid reſentments of the more sſolid Morality."
— 1668, Franciscus Euistor the Palæopolite [pseudonym; Henry More], “The First Dialogue”, in Divine Dialogues, Containing Sundry Disquisitions & Instructions Concerning the Attributes of God and His Providence in the World. […], London: […] James Flesher, →OCLC, paragraph II, page 6:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the betrayal, she felt deep ____ toward her friend for years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Years of ____ had built up between the two departments over the unequal distribution of resources.