grudging agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grudging agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone agrees to something reluctantly or with hesitation. Example: "After much debate, the committee reached a grudging agreement on the proposed budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Despite the MPRP's grudging agreement to cooperate on legislative procedure, tensions remained high.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Arguably, a grudging agreement has been reached on calling the decade "the aughts," but that unfortunate term is rooted in a linguistic error.

The New Yorker

The only practical progress, though, was a grudging agreement for Israeli and Palestinian officials to fly to America later this month and hold more talks.

The Economist

Rather, cases like Sutcliffe's are part of an older conversation about capital punishment, which only ended with a grudging agreement that the state couldn't literally take a life.

The Guardian - Opinion

He won grudging agreement from Generals Dostum and Muhammad to withdraw heavy weapons to cantonments and even to merge their armies under a neutral Kabul-appointed commander.

The New York Times

Elicit grudging agreement to at least try the new room, provided that everything is placed in the same place as in the old room before he sets eyes on it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

With the inexplicable exception of U2 — who have, to all appearances, somehow remained on good terms, from band practice in high school to sold-out stadiums in middle age — virtually every group of note either crashes and burns or struggles through hard times to reach a grudging business agreement that keeps them working.

The New York Times - Books

What comes through, instead, is a grudging understanding and respect.

The Guardian

Irritation in the west turns to grudging respect and an agreement with Putin that Bashar al-Assad will remain in charge as the best of a set of bad options.

The Guardian

On Friday, as they stood with the speaker to celebrate the agreement, advocates still conveyed that Ms. Quinn had played a grudging role in the deal.

The New York Times

This grudging praise.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "grudging agreement" with adverbs or phrases that further emphasize the lack of enthusiasm, such as "grudging agreement reached reluctantly" or "grudging agreement given begrudgingly".

Common error

Avoid using "grudging agreement" when the situation involves simple acceptance without underlying resistance. "Agreement" alone suffices if no reluctance is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grudging agreement" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of agreement characterized by reluctance or lack of enthusiasm. Ludwig confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grudging agreement" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an agreement reached with reluctance or reservations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in news and media to convey a lack of enthusiasm or underlying tension despite the presence of an agreement. While alternatives like "reluctant agreement" or "hesitant consent" exist, "grudging agreement" specifically highlights the internal resistance accompanying the consent. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the implication of reluctance to accurately reflect the nature of the agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grudging acceptance

Similar to "grudging agreement", but emphasizing the acceptance of a situation or idea rather than an explicit agreement.

reluctant agreement

Emphasizes the hesitation or unwillingness behind the agreement more directly.

hesitant consent

Highlights the wavering or uncertain nature of the approval.

qualified acceptance

Focuses on the conditions or limitations placed on the acceptance.

unenthusiastic approval

Conveys a lack of excitement or support in the approval.

tempered approval

Highlights that approval is limited by other factors.

forced acquiescence

Suggests the agreement was obtained under duress or pressure.

halfhearted endorsement

Indicates a lack of full commitment or enthusiasm in the support.

tacit acceptance

Implies agreement is conveyed indirectly, without explicit statement.

reluctant compliance

Focuses on the act of conforming to a rule or request with reluctance.

FAQs

How can I use "grudging agreement" in a sentence?

You can use "grudging agreement" to describe situations where someone agrees to something with reluctance. For example, "After a long debate, the committee reached a "grudging agreement" on the budget cuts".

What's a good alternative to "grudging agreement"?

Alternatives include "reluctant agreement", "hesitant consent", or "qualified acceptance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "grudging" really mean in "grudging agreement"?

"Grudging" implies a certain unwillingness or reluctance. A ""grudging agreement"" isn't enthusiastic; it's given despite reservations.

Is there a difference between "grudging agreement" and "grudging acceptance"?

While similar, ""grudging agreement"" typically refers to a formal or explicit agreement, whereas "grudging acceptance" implies accepting a situation or fact without necessarily agreeing to it.