begrudgingly

American  

[bih-gruhj-ing-lee] / bɪˈgrʌdʒ ɪŋ li /

adverb

1. with or despite feelings of resentment or envy.

   With virtually no advertising, he is swamped with work—a fact I begrudgingly admit because he's too busy to take me anywhere!

2. reluctantly; unwillingly.

   I've eaten calf liver begrudgingly, but ultimately I don't like sitting down to a big slab of organ meat.

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Etymology

Origin of begrudgingly

begrudg(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) + -ly

Compare meaning

How does begrudgingly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• grudgingly vs. begrudgingly

Explanation

When you do something even though you really don't want to, you do it begrudgingly. If you hate to admit that your brother's cookies came out better than yours, you'll only do it begrudgingly. To act begrudgingly is to begrudge, a word that's rooted in the Middle English grucchen, "to find fault with or be angry." So when you find yourself grumbling about something (but doing it anyway), you're doing it begrudgingly. If you dislike asparagus, you're only going to eat it begrudgingly, and if you're bitterly jealous of your friend's award, you'll applaud her win begrudgingly.

Example Sentences

Most people are begrudgingly getting through today so they can eventually arrive at the life they actually want.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Today, even the MPD’s harshest critics begrudgingly praise the department for its efforts in the current explosive atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

He recalls those early years eating calamari straight from the fryer and begrudgingly embracing room-temperature plates.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

In Martin's case, many Rangers fans didn't even give him a game, or if they did, they did it begrudgingly.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2025

Bobby begrudgingly met the weight lifters and Olympians he was introduced to, but he seemed bored by it all.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady