noun

resentment

ri-ZENT-muhnt/rɪˈzentmənt/

Bitter anger at being treated unfairly.

The woman retains resentment after the man takes nearly all the cake.

A two-scene sequence shows resentment developing after unfair sharing: a man takes nearly all a small cake while leaving a woman a tiny slice; later, after the meal is cleared and daylight has faded, she still gives him a tight-jawed, angry sideways look and turns away from his friendly approach.

Etymology

reLatinagain; perhaps adds emphasis here

+sentLatinto feel, perceive

+mentFrenchstate or result

Built on feeling, with re- perhaps intensive, the noun names a state of being deeply affected. Its focus narrowed to a deep sense of injury, connecting it to lasting anger at a perceived wrong.

In context

Forrest Hanson5:25

able to relate to those kinds of legitimate grievances and legitimate wrongs that you're talking about in a framework that doesn't necessarily have the same costs that are associated with resentment

The Psychology of Resentment: Over-Functioning, Repression, and Repair | Being Well

More examples

Unequal pay breeds resentment among the workers.
He harbors resentment toward his brother for keeping their inheritance.
They discuss old resentments before trying to rebuild their friendship.

Forms

resentment · resentments

resent verb — Feel bitter anger about perceived unfairness.

resentful adjective — Feeling bitter anger about unfair treatment.

Similar words

bitterness: Can arise from disappointment, not just unfair treatment.
indignation: Emphasizes outrage at injustice rather than lingering personal hurt.
grudge: A lasting grievance held against a specific person.