resent

/rɪˈzɛnt/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
To feel lasting anger about something judged unfair, insulting, or unwelcome.

Examples

  • Do you resent having to ask permission every time?
  • He does not resent his sister for leaving the family business.
  • Over time, she began to resent the attention her success attracted.
  • They resented us changing the schedule without warning.
  • She resented being excluded from the final decision.

Similar words

bristle at
feel bitter about
take offense at
dislike
object to
begrudge

Meanings

Feel bitter or angry

verb
feelings
neutral
To feel continuing anger or bitterness toward someone or something because it seems unfair, insulting, forced, or unwelcome.

Examples

  • She resented being excluded from the final decision.
  • I resent the suggestion that I did not work hard enough.
  • He does not resent his sister for leaving the family business.
  • Do you resent having to ask permission every time?
  • They resented us changing the schedule without warning.
  • Over time, she began to resent the attention her success attracted.

Similar words

Etymology

Borrowed around 1600 from French ressentir, meaning “to feel strongly” or “to feel pain,” from re- and sentir, “to feel.” The modern sense of taking something as an injury or insult developed in the 1600s.

FAQ

What does resent mean?

To resent someone or something is to feel lasting anger or bitterness because it seems unfair, insulting, or unwelcome.

What grammar patterns are common with resent?

Common patterns are resent something, resent doing something, and resent someone for doing something.

Can resent be followed by an -ing form?

Yes. A sentence such as “I resent having to wait” is natural and common.

What is the difference between resent and regret?

To resent is to feel angry about something, while to regret is to feel sorry that it happened or that a choice was made.

Is resent the same as begrudge?

They are close, but begrudge often focuses on feeling that someone does not deserve what they have, while resent covers a wider range of anger about unfair or unwelcome situations.

Where does resent come from?

Resent came through French ressentir, built from re- and sentir, meaning “to feel.”

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...