hold resentment

USAGE SUMMARY

'hold resentment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a feeling of bitterness or displeasure due to a perceived slight or injustices. An example sentence is: "John decided to forgive his brother rather than hold resentment over the hurtful things he said."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As new immigration rules and financial controls take hold, resentment is mounting.The question for the jihadis is how to exploit their new-found appeal.

The Economist

Never hold resentment against your spouse for having to pay child support (if this is the case).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When we accept the person for what they are, we might not like what they are doing, not approve and therefore hold resentments.

Huffington Post

Holding resentment only holds you hostage.

Huffington Post

Right now that place is holding resentment.

Huffington Post

Someone once said holding resentment toward another person is like drinking arsenic and hoping the person you are resenting dies.

Huffington Post

Medical studies have proven that long held resentment is toxic and damaging to our physical and emotional well-being.

Huffington Post

Be honest with yourself if you are holding resentment for your ex and or their current partner.

Huffington Post

Maines has long refused to try to appeal to country stations, though, and still holds resentment toward everyone she feels abandoned the group.

Huffington Post

This is how Ego holds resentment, pain, suffering, guilt, lack of forgiveness, etc and feeds them until it burdens you.

WikiHow

He was polite and formal but any fears my father had about long held resentments evaporated in the greeting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about interpersonal conflicts, consider using "hold resentment" to describe the act of consciously or unconsciously maintaining negative feelings towards someone. It's a direct and clear way to express this emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "hold resentment" when you mean simply suppressing emotions. "Hold resentment" implies an active, even if subconscious, nurturing of negative feelings, while suppressing emotions means avoiding expressing feelings at all. The former is about maintaining bitterness; the latter, about avoiding conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold resentment" functions as a verb phrase, where "hold" acts as a transitive verb taking "resentment" as its direct object. It describes the action of maintaining or harboring feelings of bitterness or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is valid.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold resentment" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of maintaining feelings of bitterness or displeasure towards someone or something. While not overly common, its usage is valid and primarily found in news and media, as indicated by Ludwig. Alternatives include ""harbor resentment"" and "bear a grudge", each carrying slightly different nuances. It's important to differentiate "hold resentment" from merely suppressing emotions, as the former implies a more active and conscious nurturing of negative feelings. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English and provides helpful context for its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harbor resentment

Changes the verb to "harbor", emphasizing a more secretive or internal holding of resentment.

bear a grudge

Uses a more idiomatic expression, suggesting a prolonged feeling of resentment.

nurse a grievance

Emphasizes the act of tending to and maintaining a feeling of resentment.

cling to bitterness

Focuses on the emotional state of bitterness rather than the act of holding resentment.

foster ill will

Highlights the cultivation and growth of negative feelings.

maintain animosity

Emphasizes the active continuation of hostile feelings.

sustain antagonism

Focuses on keeping alive a feeling of opposition or hostility.

keep a grudge alive

Similar to bearing a grudge, but emphasizes the active effort to maintain it.

fester with resentment

Highlights the internal suffering and emotional decay caused by resentment.

nurture animosity

Similar to fostering ill will, emphasizing the active cultivation of negative feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "hold resentment" in a sentence?

You can use "hold resentment" to describe the act of maintaining negative feelings towards someone or something due to a perceived wrong. For example, "She tried not to "harbor resentment" after the argument with her friend".

What's the difference between "hold resentment" and "bear a grudge"?

While both phrases imply maintaining negative feelings, "hold resentment" is a more general term, whereas "bear a grudge" suggests a more prolonged and active maintenance of anger and bitterness. You might "harbor resentment" initially, but it could develop into "bearing a grudge" over time.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "hold resentment"?

Alternatives to "hold resentment" include ""harbor resentment"", "bear a grudge", or "nurse a grievance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "hold resentment"?

Yes, the phrase "hold resentment" always carries a negative connotation, implying that the individual is maintaining feelings of anger, bitterness, or displeasure, which is generally considered detrimental to their well-being and relationships.