Word: resents

Associations

"Resents" means to feel angry or hurt because something has happened, usually because you think it is unfair. When someone resents another person or situation, they hold negative feelings towards it.

• Example 1: "She resents her coworker for getting the promotion she wanted." This shows that she feels angry about the unfairness of the situation.
• Example 2: "He resents being asked to do extra work without extra pay." Here, he feels hurt and upset because he thinks he is being treated unfairly.
• Example 3: "They resent the rules imposed by the coach." In this case, they dislike the rules and feel frustrated about them.

A well-known synonym for "resents" is "grudges." The difference is that "grudge" often refers to a deep-seated feeling of ill will, while "resents" can express more immediate feelings of anger.

Substitution

If you want to use other words instead of "resents," you could use:

• "dislikes" — This means you don't like something but might not feel as strong a feeling as "resents."
• "envies" — This means you wish for what someone else has, which can sometimes lead to resentment.
• "bears ill will" — This is more formal and suggests holding onto negative feelings over time.

Deconstruction

The word "resents" comes from the Latin root "sentire," which means "to feel." The prefix "re-" implies a sense of doing something again or in return. So, "resents" reflects feelings that are revisited, often negative ones.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt resentful? What was the situation?
• How do you usually deal with feelings of resentment?
• Do you believe it is more common to resent people or situations? Why do you think that is?