What is resentful? Pronunciation and usage in English

resentful means . Learn how to pronounce and use resentful through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of resentful

resentfuladjective

/rɪˈzentfl//rɪˈzentfl/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "resentful." It can be a tricky word! Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/rɪˈzentfəl/

Breakdown:

  • ri- - Like the "ri" in "ride." A short, quick "r" sound.
  • -zent- - This is the key part! It sounds like "zent" as in "Zen." It's a single syllable. Don't pronounce an "e" sound here.
  • -ful - Like "full." A short "u" sound.

Putting it Together (Saying it out loud):

Try saying it slowly at first: "Ri-zent-ful." Then, build up the speed.

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't add an "e" before the "nt": This is a very common mistake. People often pronounce it as "re-SENT-ful." Resist that urge! It's just "zent."
  • Short "r": The initial "r" is a very light, almost silent "r" (a tap of the tongue).
  • Emphasis: The stress is on the second syllable: “ri-ZENT-ful.”

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Translate: Go to Google Translate, type in "resentful," and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
  • Forvo: Forvo is a website where native speakers pronounce words (https://forvo.com/word/%C2%A7resentful/).

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • Are there any specific sounds you find difficult to pronounce in English generally?

Usage and examples with the word resentful in English

Let's break down how to use the word "resentful" effectively in English. It's a powerful word that describes a specific and often uncomfortable emotion.

1. Meaning of Resentful:

"Resentful" means feeling or expressing bitterness, indignation, or anger at having been treated unfairly or at someone else's success or privilege. It’s not just anger; it’s anger mixed with a sense of injustice and often a feeling of being wronged. It often implies a lingering bitterness that can't be easily forgotten.

2. How to Use It – Examples:

Here’s how you can incorporate “resentful” into sentences, with different contexts:

  • Describing a Person’s Feelings:

    • "He was resentful of his brother's easy success, constantly complaining about how he hadn’t been given the same opportunities." (Focuses on internal feeling)
    • “She looked resentful after being passed over for the promotion.” (Describes an outward appearance reflecting the feeling)
    • "Despite his friendly demeanor, he carried a deep-seated resentful attitude towards his former employer." (Highlights a hidden emotion)

  • Describing a Situation:

    • “The villagers felt resentful of the wealthy landowner who exploited their labor.” (Describes a collective feeling towards a situation)
    • "The team was resentful of the referee's questionable decisions.” (Describes a reaction to an event)

  • Using it with Adverbs: Adding adverbs like "deeply," "bitterly," or "secretly" can strengthen the description:

    • “He felt deeply resentful about being betrayed by a friend.”
    • "She showed a bitterly resentful expression when he complimented her rival."
    • "He remained secretly resentful of the circumstances of his divorce."

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Bitter
  • Angry
  • Indignant
  • Ungrateful
  • Grumbling
  • Irascible (more formal)
  • Jealous (sometimes, but resentment is deeper)

4. Important Nuances:

  • It’s not just being annoyed: Resentment is a more profound emotion than simple annoyance. It’s rooted in a belief that you've been treated unfairly and that your feelings are justified.

  • It can be passive-aggressive: People who are resentful might express it indirectly through sarcasm, criticism, or withdrawal.

  • It can be long-lasting: Resentment often doesn't disappear easily; it can linger and affect relationships and behavior over time.

5. Example Paragraph Using "Resentful":

“After years of diligently working overtime to support his family, David felt profoundly resentful when his manager announced a bonus for everyone except him. He wasn't simply disappointed; he felt deeply wronged, believing he deserved recognition for his hard work. His resentment simmered beneath the surface, manifesting itself in a quiet, critical demeanor towards his colleagues.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., a story, a personal essay, a formal report?)
  • Can you provide a sentence you're struggling with where you'd like to use "resentful"?

Synonyms for the word resentful

Practice with vocabulary resentful

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After the company overlooked his contributions for the third time, John felt deeply _______ towards his supervisor.
  2. The team members grew increasingly _______ as their requests for better resources were consistently ignored.
  3. Despite receiving positive feedback, Sarah remained _______ about the sustainability of the new marketing strategy.
  4. Maria was quite _______ when her flight was delayed for several hours, causing her to miss an important meeting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The junior employee felt a strong sense of injustice after his innovative idea was credited to a senior colleague. How would he most likely feel? a) triumphant b) resentful c) appreciative d) bitter

  2. After years of dedicated service, she was passed over for promotion in favor of a less experienced, but politically connected, individual. This decision left her feeling... a) indifferent b) supportive c) indignant d) resentful

  3. Despite the team's collective effort, the manager gave all the credit to one person during the presentation. The rest of the team felt... a) enthusiastic b) collaborative c) aggrieved d) resentful

  4. The project manager was deeply _______ after the key stakeholder unexpectedly withdrew support, jeopardizing the entire initiative. a) content b) delighted c) disheartened d) indifferent

  5. Given the tight deadline and limited resources, the team was quite _______ about their ability to deliver a flawless product. a) confident b) optimistic c) apprehensive d) certain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Her colleagues were quite annoyed that she received the promotion despite their longer tenure and harder work. Rewrite using "resentful" or related word forms:
  2. Original: The constant feeling of being undervalued created a lot of bitterness and ill will in the team. Rewrite using "resentful" or related word forms:
  3. Original: The new policies made some employees feel uneasy and doubtful about their job security. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "resentful"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After the company overlooked his contributions for the third time, John felt deeply resentful towards his supervisor.
  2. The team members grew increasingly resentful as their requests for better resources were consistently ignored.
  3. Despite receiving positive feedback, Sarah remained skeptical about the sustainability of the new marketing strategy.
  4. Maria was quite frustrated when her flight was delayed for several hours, causing her to miss an important meeting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) resentful, d) bitter
  2. c) indignant, d) resentful
  3. c) aggrieved, d) resentful
  4. c) disheartened
  5. c) apprehensive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her colleagues felt resentful that she received the promotion despite their longer tenure and harder work.
  2. The constant feeling of being undervalued led to significant resentment within the team.
  3. The new policies made some employees feel apprehensive about their job security.

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