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grudge

/grədʒ/
/grədʒ/
IPA guide

Other forms: grudging; grudged; grudges

If you tend to hold a grudge, you don't let it go when you feel someone's insulted or wronged you. I hope you won't hold a grudge against me for bringing it up.

Grudge comes from the now dead Middle English word "grutch," which meant "to complain or grumble." Someone who bears a grudge might often be grouchy. You can specify a type of grudge: political grudge, personal grudge, etc. You know Grandpa's been holding a grudge against the neighbors for years, but you have to wonder: How long can he hold that shotgun?

Definitions of grudge
  1. noun
    a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
    “holding a grudge
    synonyms: grievance, score
    see moresee less
    type of:
    bitterness, gall, rancor, rancour, resentment
    a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
  2. verb
    bear a grudge; harbor ill feelings
    synonyms: stew
    see moresee less
    type of:
    resent
    feel bitter or indignant about
  3. verb
    accept or admit unwillingly
Pronunciation
US
/grədʒ/
UK
/grədʒ/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘grudge'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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