Basic Details
Word: Resentment
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A bitter, angry feeling about something you think is unfair.
Synonyms: bitterness, indignation, displeasure, grudge
Antonyms: contentment, goodwill
Word origin: From French ressentir, to feel strongly.
How to Spell Resentment
Syllables: re - sent - ment
Tricky part: It is resent + ment, with nothing in between. Students add an e before ment (resentement) or write the ending as mant.
Watch out for: resentement, resentmant, rezentment
Memory tip: Something unfair was sent your way and you resent it: re + sent + ment, three short parts with no extra e.
Usage Examples
Example 1: There was resentment in the class when only one group got extra time.
Example 2: He hid his resentment and congratulated the winner.
Example 3: Old resentments are best settled with an honest talk.
Fun Fact
When resent first came into English in the 1500s, it could mean simply to feel something strongly; the bitter sense took over only later.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Which of these words can take the suffix ment?
ment
a) reject
b) resist
c) refuse
d) resent
Show answer
d) resent. Put ment on each one and say it aloud: resistment, refusement and rejectment are not words, while resentment is.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word resentment as used in the sentence:
Years of resentment between the two neighbours began with a quarrel over a mango tree.
a) friendship
b) distance
c) bitterness
d) laughter
Show answer
c) bitterness. Bitterness is the lasting angry feeling the quarrel left behind.
Word Cookie
One word in this sentence is misspelt. Find it:
There was a lot of resentement in the team when the coach picked his own nephew as captain without holding any trials for the other players.
a) resentement
b) captain
c) trials
d) nephew
Show answer
a) resentement. Resent ends in t, and ment follows it directly, with no e in between.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Resentment usually grows when someone feels ____.
a) completely safe
b) well rested
c) very hungry
d) treated unfairly
Show answer
d) treated unfairly
2. Which action is most likely to cause resentment?
a) returning a borrowed book
b) thanking a friend for help
c) taking credit for a friend's work
d) sharing a prize equally
Show answer
c) taking credit for a friend's work
