begrudge

[ bih-gruhj ]

verb (used with object)

, be·grudged, be·grudg·ing.

1. to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of (someone):

   She begrudged her friend the award.

2. to be reluctant to give, grant, or allow:

   She did not begrudge the money spent on her children's education.

begrudge

/ bɪˈɡrʌdʒ /

verb

1. to give, admit, or allow unwillingly or with a bad grace
2. to envy (someone) the possession of (something)

Derived Forms

• beˈgrudgingly, adverb

Other Words From

• be·grudg·ing·ly adverb
• un·be·grudged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of begrudge¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English bigrucchen; be-, grudge

Synonym Study

See envy.

Example Sentences

“Watching them rebuild with great ease, we didn’t begrudge them,” Sokol said.

From Los Angeles Times

When her friend asks her to underage drink under a bridge, she begrudges teenagers to Paul because "they all act so immature."

From Salon

McKinnon heard the pride and sadness that crept into her grandmother’s voice and, because hope can’t be sustained indefinitely, a begrudging acceptance of his fate.

From Los Angeles Times

"We don't want to begrudge people having a drink," he told the Daily Telegraph.

From BBC

And I begrudge every second spent taking Trump’s trolling seriously.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• envy