Word
resentful
Phoneticsre·sent·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈzɛntfəɫ/
UK/ɹɪsˈɛntfəl/
Definition
adj. feeling angry or bitter because you think you are being treated unfairly. You use this when someone feels they deserve more respect or better treatment than they are getting.
adj. feeling or showing bitterness and anger because of a perceived injustice or lack of recognition. Often used to describe a person's emotional state or a specific facial expression.
Examples
“He looked resentful when he heard his colleague got a promotion.”
“The younger employees felt resentful when the company decided to give the older staff a bonus but not the new hires.”
“Her resentful silence during the meeting suggested that she felt her contributions were being overlooked in favor of more senior colleagues.”
Examples
simple
“He looked resentful when he heard his colleague got a promotion.”
contextual
“The younger employees felt resentful when the company decided to give the older staff a bonus but not the new hires.”
complex
“Her resentful silence during the meeting suggested that she felt her contributions were being overlooked in favor of more senior colleagues.”
Etymology
From resent + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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