Grudged

To harbor resentment or ill will towards someone for something they have or have achieved, often stemming from feelings of envy or unfairness. It implies a reluctance to give, share, or acknowledge something deserved by another person, frequently associated with feelings of envy, spite, or begrudgingly granting something. It involves a sense of loss or deprivation that results from someone else's good fortune or entitlement. This feeling can manifest as verbal expressions of negativity, acts of selfishness, or internal feelings of bitterness towards a person. The focus is on the subject's negative emotional experience, often related to perception of loss, unfairness, or undeserved privilege of another. Grudging actions are often done reluctantly, without genuine enthusiasm, and with an underlying sense of complaint. The core component is an active internal withholding of positive emotion, support or resource (physical or emotional).

Grudged meaning with examples

• Despite his initial reluctance, he grudged his brother the promotion, realizing it was earned. While envious, he knew his brother deserved the opportunity. He acknowledged his brother's success in the end. Even though he wanted the promotion for himself, the feeling of bitterness passed as he celebrated with family.
• She grudged her neighbor the beautiful garden they cultivated, as her own yard barely yielded weeds. Jealous of their vibrant blooms, and the time and effort they put in, she found herself making passive aggressive comments about the neighbors. Their efforts were admired by many, but she held an inner conflict.
• The company begrudgingly granted employees raises after strong union negotiations. The reluctance was evident in the CEO's speech. He felt as though the company was in financial strife. The employees would have liked a higher increase, but were grateful nevertheless as they prepared to go home.
• Even though he was wealthy, he grudged his children spending their inheritance before he died. He wanted them to feel the weight of saving, like he had done for himself. His children, despite his reluctance, had no care to follow those guidelines. The old man was set in his ways.
• The writer grudged the critic’s harsh review of her novel. Though she wanted to get a good score, she accepted some constructive criticism. She struggled to be positive about the comment. The author was in disbelief that the work had been poorly received.
• The soldier begrudged the enemy the comfort of their homes. He was filled with fury at the soldiers that had caused so much destruction to his home land. They deserved the very worst for what they had done to his family. The soldier longed for revenge.
• The teacher reluctantly grudged the students the long summer vacation, since it meant a break in his routine. He knew they needed it. The vacation, however, was short-lived when fall arrived. Nevertheless, he began to think of the students.
• Her classmates grudged her the award for best actress, as they felt she'd only gotten it because her mother was a producer. They did not feel it was fair, but she knew she had worked extremely hard. She would go on to have a long and celebrated career.
• The community grudged the new development that destroyed a beloved park, however, the business provided job opportunities. Despite the resentment of the people, there was no way to reverse this. The city, it was clear, was always going to be an attractive location.
• He grudged his ex-wife the alimony payments, convinced she didn't need the money. He would do anything to avoid paying her. Still, he was not going to get off the hook. He would have to, in the end, provide for her for quite a while longer.