hint of resentment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hint of resentment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or slight feeling of bitterness or displeasure that someone may have towards a situation or person. Example: "Despite her smile, there was a hint of resentment in her voice when she spoke about the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The title made me feel an icy touch of fear, some vague confusion, and even a hint of resentment, mixed with, of course, a thrilling splash of curiosity.

The New York Times

But there was a hint of resentment when he said Obama did not understand Egyptian culture and the trouble that would ensue if he left office immediately.

The Guardian

There was, not surprisingly, more than a hint of resentment among some men in the newsroom, who protested that Wark was too young (she was 30) and inexperienced (she'd been working with the corporation for nine years, first as a graduate trainee then as assistant producer).

The Guardian

"Everyone wanted to wear the leggings, the crazy neon prints, or listen to weird beats," she says, with a just a hint of resentment, "but they didn't want the politics.

Vice

As "La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz said Sunday upon realizing his film had not actually won Best Picture, "I'm going to be really thrilled to hand this to my friends from 'Moonlight.'" Horowitz waved director Barry Jenkins and company to the podium without a hint of resentment, despite having just been informed that presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the wrong winner. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And although Lecavalier has been a close friend of Richards's since they played together in the Quebec league as teenagers, Morris, Richards's agent, hinted of resentment, referring to "what Brad had to endure in Tampa" under the now-departed ownership duo of Oren Koules and Len Barrie, who, he added, "basically took Vinny over Brad and pushed Brad out".

The New York Times - Sports

"I began to get a hint of the resentment toward Wall Street.

The New Yorker

He certainly carried with him, to Oxford and beyond, more than a hint of class resentment.

The New York Times - Books

"Cuarón is difficult to dismiss because he is obviously independent, successful, and obviously acting with no hint of social resentment and only concern about what is happening in Mexico," Sergio Aguayo, an analyst, said on MVS Radio.

The Guardian

(Bo, in contrast, must fall back on his raffish surfer charm.) Gustavo's tense relationship with Jim raises a hint of class resentment and ethnic prejudice, but this theme is no more persuasively developed than the Oedipal conflict between Jim and Bo.

The New York Times

Although he describes the two and a half years he has spent at Spurs since his £15m move from Blackburn as "a series of unfortunate events", there is no hint of any resentment about the club's decision to farm him out on loan to make way for Beckham.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hint of resentment" to subtly convey underlying negative feelings without being overly dramatic. It's effective in describing character emotions in fiction or analyzing interpersonal dynamics.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of resentment" when the context clearly indicates a stronger emotion. Choose more direct language if the resentment is overt, or the phrase can dilute the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of resentment" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a subtle indication or trace of the feeling of resentment. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase denotes a nuanced expression of displeasure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of resentment" is a noun phrase used to describe a subtle indication of bitterness or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, particularly within News & Media. While not overly common, it serves a valuable purpose in conveying underlying negative feelings subtly. For alternatives, consider phrases like "trace of bitterness" or "whiff of animosity" to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances. Use this phrase judiciously to add depth and emotional complexity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trace of bitterness

Focuses on the underlying emotional tone of bitterness rather than the outward manifestation of resentment.

whiff of animosity

Emphasizes a slight indication of hostility or antagonism.

touch of indignation

Highlights a feeling of righteous anger or offense.

shade of bitterness

Indicates a subtle degree of negativity or acrimony.

element of animosity

Points out a component of hostility present within a situation or emotion.

suggestion of grievance

Highlights the presence of a perceived wrong or injustice.

undertone of displeasure

Implies a subtle but noticeable feeling of dissatisfaction.

nuance of bitterness

Focuses on the subtle, almost imperceptible quality of the negative emotion.

slight displeasure

Directly indicates mild dissatisfaction or annoyance.

faint animosity

Indicates a weak or barely perceptible form of hostility.

FAQs

How can I use "hint of resentment" in a sentence?

Use "hint of resentment" to describe a subtle feeling of bitterness or displeasure. For example: "Despite her smile, there was a hint of resentment in her voice."

What are some alternatives to "hint of resentment"?

You can use alternatives like "trace of bitterness", "whiff of animosity", or "touch of indignation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hint of resentment" in formal writing?

Yes, "hint of resentment" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing nuanced emotions or subtle interpersonal dynamics.

What's the difference between "hint of resentment" and "strong resentment"?

"Hint of resentment" describes a subtle, underlying feeling, while "strong resentment" indicates a more intense and overt feeling of bitterness and displeasure.