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

Like our own, the world of “Maid” is one in which the poor have to contort themselves into bizarre shapes to receive the assistance they’re begrudged for, while the rich are offered perks and advantages they don’t need and often never even asked for.

From Washington Post

We don’t begrudge them their due, but we’ve been suffering longer, and let’s face it — I was 41 when I was released and today I’m 82 — we need to have this resolved soon.

From Washington Post

Yet nobody begrudged those crew members the astronaut label just because they never took the shuttle’s stick.

From Time

So if you’re like me and have found one of your favorite hikes too crowded to enjoy recently, don’t begrudge the newcomers.

From Outside Online

I do not begrudge them the birthday conceit, except that they have to understand it has to end.

From Washington Post

Abortion-rights advocates by no means seek to detract from LGBT movement or begrudge it victories.

From The Daily Beast

I don't begrudge it for a second: just take good care of it, won't you?

From The Daily Beast

Does Mamet really begrudge a president or ex-president Secret Service protection?

From The Daily Beast

In ordinary times, nobody would begrudge the use of fuel and mobile-generating capacity for the marathon.

From The Daily Beast

I do not begrudge the journalist for pursuing the unvarnished truth, irrespective of political consequences.

From The Daily Beast

Days had gone by and we lacked the energy to begrudge their inconsequential passing, but now a time of reckoning had come.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah, why begrudge the marquis his meed of admiration, if he likes it?

From Project Gutenberg

I shall think of him; but not in a way that you would begrudge me.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not begrudge them in the least, thinking that they were all due to Mr Whittlestaff.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Whittlestaff, it does not signify a straw what I begrudge you.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• envy