bitterly resentful

USAGE SUMMARY

'bitterly resentful' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is feeling intense anger towards a situation or another person. For example: "He was bitterly resentful after being passed over for a promotion at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Charles, bitterly resentful over his humiliating defeat at Chatham, accepted the French offer of a richly subsidized alliance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In A Quiet Adjustment he is seen through the eyes of his at first enamoured, and then bitterly resentful wife.

The Guardian - Books

Among the other 98% killed, it seems, are hundreds of civilians and well over a hundred children, augmented by a traumatised, bitterly resentful and increasingly radicalised local population.

Independent

Bitterly resentful of the tight Protestant snobberies that have isolated her, she becomes pregnant by a local Catholic farmer and then dumps the children on her parents.

Independent

The Tatars, the largest Muslim community in Ukraine, who can trace their ancestries back to the warriors of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, remain bitterly resentful towards Moscow.

Independent

Though bitterly resentful of what he felt to be a lack of just recognition, he was indifferent toward wealth and rejected the fashions of normal dress.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

For example, in Slipstream she wrote that when she ended her affair with Day-Lewis, "he was bitterly hurt, resentful, called me a whore".

The Guardian - Books

If you keep giving people the impression that a career in science is like studying at Hogwarts but with more paperwork, they're going to end up bitterly disappointed and probably resentful.

The Guardian

You are resentful.

The New Yorker

His daughters were resentful.

The New Yorker

Many remained resentful.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitterly resentful" to express a strong feeling of anger and indignation, usually directed towards a person, situation, or perceived injustice. It conveys a deeper and more intense level of resentment than simply saying "resentful".

Common error

While "bitterly resentful" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing where a more neutral tone is preferred. Consider using milder alternatives like "disappointed" or "concerned" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitterly resentful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of intense negative emotion. It amplifies the feeling of resentment, indicating a strong sense of indignation and ill will. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitterly resentful" effectively conveys a strong sense of anger and indignation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across various contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to portray and whether a more neutral alternative might be more suitable, especially in formal settings. Remember that "bitterly" amplifies the feeling of resentment, indicating a deeper and more lasting negative emotion. The phrase is common, signifying an often used expression, however you should use it only when expressing intense feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely bitter

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of intense negativity.

seething with resentment

Captures the internal, suppressed nature of the resentment, suggesting a build-up of anger.

deeply embittered

Focuses on the long-lasting effect of resentment, highlighting the deep-seated nature of the feeling.

resentful to the core

Emphasizes the depth and pervasiveness of the resentment, suggesting it affects the person's entire being.

consumed by bitterness

Highlights how the negative emotion can dominate the person's thoughts and actions.

intensely aggrieved

Highlights the sense of injustice and suffering that fuels the resentment.

filled with animosity

Highlights the active feeling of strong dislike or hostility.

acrimoniously opposed

Emphasizes the bitterness and hostility in the opposition, often in a more formal or public context.

harboring ill will

Focuses on the act of holding onto and nurturing negative feelings toward someone.

nursing a grudge

Implies a long-held and often petty resentment, suggesting an unwillingness to forgive.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "bitterly resentful" in a sentence?

Use "bitterly resentful" to describe a character's intense, negative emotions towards a person or situation. For example: "He was "bitterly resentful" after his business partner betrayed him."

What's a less intense alternative to "bitterly resentful"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "disappointed", "aggrieved", or "displeased" to express milder forms of dissatisfaction.

Is it ever appropriate to use "bitterly resentful" in formal writing?

While it's generally acceptable, consider the overall tone of your writing. In some formal contexts, it might be better to choose a more neutral phrase like "strongly disagreed" or "expressed serious concerns" to maintain objectivity.

What makes "bitterly resentful" different from simply "resentful"?

The addition of "bitterly" intensifies the feeling of resentment, suggesting a deeper and more pervasive sense of anger, disappointment, and indignation. It indicates a more profound and lasting negative emotion compared to just being "resentful".