# grudge

/ˈɡɹədʒ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈʌdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grudge
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a strong feeling of anger or dislike toward someone that you keep for a long time because they did something to hurt you.

For teachers: a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury.

## Examples

- He still holds a grudge against me for that mistake.
- She refused to attend the wedding because she was still nursing a grudge over a decade-old argument.
- While some team members moved past the initial disagreement, others harbored a deep-seated grudge that eventually poisoned the office culture and stalled the entire project.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He has a grudge for me" but "He has a grudge against me" — The noun 'grudge' typically takes the preposition 'against' to indicate the person who is the target of the resentment.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verbs 'hold', 'bear', 'harbor', or 'nurse'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.