sheer resentment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer resentment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong, unfiltered feeling of anger or bitterness towards someone or something. Example: "Her sheer resentment towards the unfair treatment she received was evident in her tone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As we journalists staggered out of the press screening of Bay's latest offering, suffering from the triple-whammy of tinnitus, blurred vision and sheer resentment, we resembled a coach party outing from the local head injury clinic.

The Guardian - Film

Screenwriter Moira Buffini and director Stephen Frears have created a very English pastoral based on an interesting proposition: the countryside is not the sweet, picturesque place imagined by townies, but a seething hellhole of moral turpitude, where people will commit deplorable acts out of sheer resentment and boredom.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This leads to sheer, seething resentment, and a narrow-mindedness bordering on Paranoia.

Huffington Post

One day, out of sheer exhaustion and resentment, I turned the flash to the max and took continuous pictures after being ignored by Ricky.

Vice

This is the time to flip any negative resentment into sheer gratitude.

Huffington Post

But it is a special kind of social activity, one where lots of different human traits — obstinacy, curiosity, resentment of authority, sheer cussedness, and a grudging readiness to submit pet notions to popular scrutiny — end by producing reliable knowledge.

The New Yorker

Their relationship with villagers is mostly good, but there is some inevitable resentment because of the sheer boldness of their venture, and because of the obvious economic disparity between them and the village.

Huffington Post

There are also fears that the sheer numbers of Syrians in the country will stoke resentment: around Reyhanli, some 25,000 Syrian refugees live among 90,000 Turkish citizens, according to local officials.

The New York Times

Alcoholic and impetuous, Henri, who arrives unexpectedly with his new lover, Faunia (Emmanuelle Devos), jolts the rest of the family into spasms of pity, resentment and half-admiring amazement at his sheer nerve.

The New York Times

Deborah Tollefsen (Tollefsen, 2006) goes as far as to argue that the sheer fact that we have emotional responses to groups anger, resentment, an moral indignation justifies our practice of holding groups morally responsible.

SEP

In this militarized land full of tensions and resentments, it looked like a morning of sheer joy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer resentment" to convey a strong, unfiltered feeling of anger or bitterness, especially when emphasizing the purity or intensity of the emotion.

Common error

While "sheer resentment" is acceptable, overuse in academic or formal writing might sound overly dramatic. Consider alternatives like "significant disagreement" or "marked dissatisfaction" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer resentment" functions as a noun phrase, where "sheer" acts as an intensifier modifying the noun "resentment". It describes a powerful and unadulterated feeling of bitterness or anger. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer resentment" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a strong and intense feeling of bitterness or anger. While relatively rare in overall usage, it's primarily found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's a usable and effective expression for conveying a potent negative emotion. While appropriate in many situations, writers should be mindful of potential alternatives for overly formal or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure resentment

Emphasizes the unadulterated nature of the resentment, suggesting it is not mixed with other emotions.

absolute resentment

Highlights the completeness and totality of the resentment felt.

unadulterated resentment

Similar to "pure resentment", stressing the lack of any tempering factors.

intense resentment

Focuses on the high degree or strength of the resentment.

deep-seated resentment

Indicates that the resentment is long-lasting and firmly established.

bitter resentment

Emphasizes the acrimonious and painful nature of the resentment.

profound resentment

Suggests a deep and significant level of resentment.

unmitigated resentment

Highlights that the resentment is not lessened or softened in any way.

consuming resentment

Implies that the resentment dominates one's thoughts and feelings.

seething resentment

Captures the feeling of suppressed anger and bitterness.

FAQs

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

You can use "sheer resentment" to describe a strong feeling of anger or bitterness. For example: "Her sheer resentment toward her boss was obvious to everyone."

What are some alternatives to saying "sheer resentment"?

Alternatives include "pure resentment", "intense resentment", or "bitter resentment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sheer resentment" a formal or informal expression?

"Sheer resentment" falls in a neutral register, suitable for news articles or descriptive writing. It can be used in formal settings if the intensity of the emotion warrants it. However, in very formal contexts, consider less emotionally charged alternatives.

What's the difference between "sheer resentment" and "mild annoyance"?

"Sheer resentment" denotes a strong feeling of anger and bitterness, while "mild annoyance" describes a minor irritation. The former is significantly more intense and indicates a deeper level of negative emotion. It's best to use "mild annoyance" when you are not so serious about a matter.