harbors anger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harbors anger" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone who is holding onto feelings of anger and not letting them go. For example: "Jennie has been keeping her distance from the rest of her family, as she harbors anger toward them for not being supportive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Sidaway still harbors anger and suspicion.

The New York Times

He still harbors anger toward Stewart Parnell and hopes to see him punished.

The Washington Post

In the music industry, it often seems as though every single act harbors anger toward its record label.

The New York Times

And he still harbors anger at the blacklist, recalling the day he was stopped from appearing on Robert Q . Lewiss radio show when his name appeared in a pamphlet listing performers who purportedly had ties to the Communist Party.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

CIA oversees mining of Nicaraguan harbors, angering Congress when it became public two months later.

The Washington Post

The indictment says he harbored "anger and resentment" against the agency and leaked as "retaliation".

The New York Times

"If I were to harbor anger for 10 years," she said, "it'd be too exhausting".

The New York Times

Some in the party still harbor anger over the 2016 race, when he ran against Mrs. Clinton, and his continuing resistance to becoming a Democrat.

The New York Times

Burnitz came to bat, harboring anger that has built over weeks of frustration; maybe he will just keep being angry, he said after the game.

The New York Times - Sports

This person said Mr. Goldstein had many reasons to harbor anger at the police and change his story and said the Second Circuit ruling was flawed because it took its facts and conclusions from Mr. Jarecki's film and research.

The New York Times

And when we hold onto negative emotions like anger, bitterness, and hatred, we all but eliminate the possibility that we will experience a positive emotion in that moment, because we can't experience joy when we are expressing resentment, or gratitude when harboring anger.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbors anger" to depict a character or individual who is consciously or unconsciously holding onto feelings of anger, often over a significant period or due to a specific event. It's effective for illustrating internal conflict or unresolved emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "harbors anger" lightly. It suggests a deeper, more persistent emotion than simply feeling angry in the moment. Opt for simpler terms like "feels anger" if the context doesn't warrant the implication of long-held resentment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbors anger" functions as a verb phrase where "harbors" acts as the main verb, indicating the action of holding or containing, and "anger" serves as the direct object, specifying what is being held. Ludwig AI confirms this as a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harbors anger" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of holding onto feelings of anger, often implying a deeper, more persistent emotion than fleeting anger. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and although it's not a very common expression, it finds appropriate use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academic writing. When using "harbors anger", be mindful of the emotional intensity it conveys, as it suggests a long-held resentment rather than a momentary feeling. Consider alternatives like "holds onto anger" or "nurses resentment" depending on the precise shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holds onto anger

Focuses on the act of maintaining anger over time.

nurses resentment

Suggests a deliberate fostering of negative feelings.

clings to bitterness

Emphasizes the negative impact and tenacity of the emotion.

retains animosity

Highlights a persistent feeling of strong dislike.

entertains wrath

Suggests a more active and conscious dwelling on anger.

shelters indignation

Implies righteous anger being protected or concealed.

fosters rage

Suggests actively encouraging and developing feelings of rage.

sustains fury

Highlights the maintenance and endurance of intense anger.

maintains resentment

Focuses on the ongoing effort to keep resentment alive.

cultivates animosity

Implies an intentional and gradual development of hostile feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "harbors anger" in a sentence?

You can use "harbors anger" to describe someone who is holding onto feelings of anger. For example, "Despite years passing, she still "harbors anger" towards her former business partner".

What are some alternatives to saying "harbors anger"?

Alternatives to "harbors anger" include phrases like "holds onto anger", "nurses resentment", or "clings to bitterness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more common to say "harbors anger" or "feels anger"?

"Feels anger" is generally more common for describing a temporary emotion. "Harbors anger" implies a more sustained and deeply rooted feeling. Consider the context to decide which is most appropriate.

What's the connotation of "harbors anger"?

"Harbors anger" suggests that the anger is being kept hidden or suppressed, and that it may be having a negative impact on the person's life or relationships. It's a stronger term than simply saying someone is angry.