Resents
/rɪˈzɛnts/
verbB2third person singular present tense
Definition
"Resents" means to feel strong dislike or anger because of something you think is unfair or hurtful. It often happens when someone treats you badly or when you feel ignored or not respected. This feeling can stay for a while and affect how you act toward others.
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See It in Action
To feel angry or upset about unfair treatment
- •She resents being left out of the group project.
- •He resents his boss for giving him extra work.
- •They resented having to wait so long in line.
To feel bitterness or dislike because of a past event or action
- •She still resents the way her friend betrayed her.
- •He resents the decision that changed his life.
- •They resented losing the game unfairly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "resents" like "dislikes," but stronger and with feelings of anger inside
- ✓Imagine holding a small stone in your hand that feels heavy and uncomfortable—that is like carrying resentment inside you
- ✓It's the feeling when someone takes your toy without asking, and you feel upset and angry about it
- ✓Sounds like "re-SENTS" → imagine someone sending back bad feelings to the person who hurt them
- ✓Think of stories where a character feels upset for a long time because of unfair treatment, like in fairy tales when someone is jealous or angry
- ✓NOT like "forgive" (which means to stop feeling angry), "resent" means you still feel upset
- ✓NOT like "hate" (very strong and deep), "resent" is strong but usually about specific actions or unfairness
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (not paying attention), "resent" is about feeling bad inside because of what happened
Try Other Words
- •Dislike: to not like something (Use when feelings are mild or temporary)
- •Begrudge: to feel unhappy about giving or allowing something (Use when you feel jealous or unwilling to give)
- •Envy: to want what someone else has (Use when feelings are about wanting, not anger)
- •Hate: to feel very strong dislike or anger (Use when feelings are very strong and deep)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "re-" (again or back) + root "sent" (from Latin "sentire," meaning to feel)
- •Etymology: from Latin "resentire," meaning to feel again or feel strongly against
- •Historical development: first used in English in the 1600s to mean feeling anger or bitterness again or deeply
- •Modern usage: used to describe feelings of anger or bitterness toward people or situations seen as unfair or hurtful
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you resented someone’s action? How did it affect your feelings or behavior?
•How is resenting someone different from simply being angry for a short time?
Fill in the blanks
1.She resents ___ when people do not listen to her ideas during meetings.
2.He resents ___ because he feels it is unfair to work extra hours without pay.
3.Unlike forgiveness, resents means the person still feels ___ about what happened.
4.They resented ___ after losing the game due to a referee’s mistake.
5.When someone resents another, they often feel ___ inside for a long time.
6.Resents usually happens because of ___ treatment or actions from others.
7.If you only dislike something a little, you do not usually ___ it like you resent something.