begrudged 🔊
Meaning of begrudged
To envy or resent someone for possessing or enjoying something; to give or allow reluctantly.
Key Difference
Unlike general resentment, 'begrudged' implies a lingering, often personal, feeling of envy or reluctance.
Example of begrudged
- She begrudged her colleague the promotion, feeling she deserved it more.
- He begrudged every penny he had to spend on repairs.
Synonyms
resented 🔊
Meaning of resented
Felt bitterness or indignation at a perceived unfairness.
Key Difference
While 'resented' is broader, 'begrudged' specifically ties the resentment to someone else's advantage.
Example of resented
- She resented the constant interruptions during her work.
- He resented the lack of recognition for his efforts.
envied 🔊
Meaning of envied
Desired what someone else has, often with discontent.
Key Difference
'Envied' focuses on desire, while 'begrudged' includes reluctance or unwillingness to accept.
Example of envied
- They envied his effortless charm at social gatherings.
- She secretly envied her friend’s luxurious lifestyle.
grudged 🔊
Meaning of grudged
Gave or did something unwillingly.
Key Difference
Similar to 'begrudged,' but 'grudged' is less commonly used and often implies a smaller-scale reluctance.
Example of grudged
- He grudged even a minute of his time to help.
- She grudged the smallest favors to her rival.
coveted 🔊
Meaning of coveted
Strongly desired something belonging to another.
Key Difference
'Coveted' is about intense desire, while 'begrudged' includes resentment over possession.
Example of coveted
- The team coveted the championship trophy for years.
- She coveted the rare painting in her neighbor’s collection.
disliked 🔊
Meaning of disliked
Felt distaste or hostility toward someone or something.
Key Difference
'Disliked' is general, while 'begrudged' implies resentment over a specific advantage.
Example of disliked
- He disliked the new policy changes at work.
- She disliked his arrogant attitude.
spited 🔊
Meaning of spited
Acted out of petty malice or resentment.
Key Difference
'Spite' involves deliberate harm, while 'begrudged' is more about internal resentment.
Example of spited
- He spited his neighbor by parking in his spot.
- She canceled the meeting out of pure spite.
resentfully gave 🔊
Meaning of resentfully gave
Provided something with visible reluctance.
Key Difference
A phrase rather than a single word, emphasizing the act of giving unwillingly.
Example of resentfully gave
- She resentfully gave him the last piece of cake.
- He resentfully gave his approval after much debate.
jealous 🔊
Meaning of jealous
Feeling or showing envy of someone’s achievements or advantages.
Key Difference
'Jealous' is broader and can include fear of losing something, while 'begrudged' focuses on resentment.
Example of jealous
- He was jealous of his brother’s success.
- She grew jealous of her friend’s new relationship.
reluctantly allowed 🔊
Meaning of reluctantly allowed
Permitted something despite unwillingness.
Key Difference
A phrase describing action, while 'begrudged' is the emotional state behind it.
Example of reluctantly allowed
- The teacher reluctantly allowed a retake of the test.
- He reluctantly allowed his daughter to go to the party.
Conclusion
- 'Begrudged' is best used when describing lingering resentment over someone else’s advantage or when giving unwillingly.
- 'Resented' can describe general bitterness without specifying envy over possessions.
- 'Envied' is ideal when focusing on desire for what someone else has, without the reluctance aspect.
- 'Grudged' works in informal contexts where small-scale unwillingness is involved.
- 'Coveted' should be used when emphasizing strong, often secret, desire rather than resentment.
- 'Disliked' is too broad for specific resentment over advantages.
- 'Spite' involves active malice, unlike the passive resentment of 'begrudged.'
- 'Jealous' covers a wider emotional range, including insecurity, not just resentment.
- 'Reluctantly allowed' describes the action, while 'begrudged' captures the feeling behind it.