Emotion: Resentment

When you want to write the emotion resentment, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Resentment is a negative emotion that arises from a feeling of unfair treatment or injustice. It's a feeling of bitterness or anger towards someone or something that is perceived as having wronged you. Resentment often involves a sense of indignation and a desire for revenge or retribution. It can arise from a variety of situations, such as being passed over for a promotion at work, feeling neglected or unappreciated in a relationship, or experiencing discrimination or prejudice. Resentment can be a powerful emotion that can impact both your mental and physical health, so it's important to learn how to manage it effectively.

Different Types of Resentment

Here are some different types of resentment:

• Resentment towards a specific person for their actions or behavior
• Resentment towards a situation or circumstance that is perceived as unfair or unjust
• Resentment towards oneself for past mistakes or missed opportunities
• Resentment towards a group of people or society as a whole for their actions or beliefs
• Resentment towards a past relationship or betrayal
• Resentment towards a family member for past conflicts or disagreements

Situations Associated with Resentment

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of resentment:

• Being unfairly treated or slighted by someone they know or love
• Being passed over for a promotion or recognition they feel they deserved
• Feeling like they have been taken advantage of or exploited by someone
• Being betrayed by a close friend or partner
• Feeling like they have been misunderstood or judged unfairly
• Being punished or scolded for something they didn't do
• Being reminded of past hurts or wrongs that they have not been able to move on from
• Feeling like they have been excluded or left out of a group or community they want to be a part of
• Being constantly criticized or belittled by someone they respect or admire

Physical Reactions to Resentment

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing resentment might have:

• Clenched jaw or tightness in the face
• Furrowed brow or scowl
• Tense posture or body language
• Crossed arms or defensive stance
• Aggressive or sarcastic tone of voice
• Avoiding eye contact or giving the silent treatment
• Constantly bringing up past grievances or wrongs
• Refusing to forgive or let go of anger towards someone else

Thoughts Associated with Resentment

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing resentment might have:

• Why do they always get everything they want?
• I can't believe they did this to me.
• It's not fair that they have it so easy.
• I'm tired of being overlooked and undervalued.
• I deserve better than this.
• I can't trust them anymore after what they did.
• I wish things could have been different.
• I'm angry that they don't see how much they hurt me.
• I feel like I'm constantly being taken advantage of.

Atmosphere of Resentment

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of resentment in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Create a setting that is dreary, dark, and oppressive, with few sources of light or joy.
• Use language that is harsh and abrasive, emphasizing the negative aspects of the environment.
• Depict characters who are isolated, alienated, or ostracized, emphasizing their sense of being wronged or mistreated.
• Describe physical objects that are broken, damaged, or in disrepair, emphasizing the sense of decay and decline.

Verbs Associated with Resentment

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of resentment:

• Blame
• Grudge
• Dislike
• Loathe
• Spite
• Envy
• Jealousy
• Reproach
• Detest
• Begrudge
• Disapprove
• Displeasure
• Animosity
• Malice
• Hostility

Emotions Before Resentment

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences resentment:

• Anger
• Frustration
• Disappointment
• Betrayal
• Hurt
• Injustice
• Disrespect
• Neglect

Emotions After Resentment

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences resentment:

• Anger
• Bitterness
• Betrayal
• Disappointment
• Frustration
• Envy
• Jealousy
• Indignation
• Hatred

Telling Resentment Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion resentment in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She resented her sister for always getting the attention.
• He resented his boss for not giving him the promotion he deserved.
• They resented the new neighbors for moving in and disrupting their peaceful community.
• She resented her ex-boyfriend for breaking her heart.
• He resented his parents for not understanding his dreams.
• They resented the government for not providing enough support during tough times.
• She resented her friend for always taking advantage of her kindness.

Practical Examples of Showing Resentment

Here are some examples of showing resentment in a sentence:

• She slammed the door shut with more force than necessary, glaring at her roommate's messy pile of clothes on the floor.
• He avoided making eye contact with his boss during the meeting, feeling a knot in his stomach as he remembered the promotion he was passed over for.
• She scrolled through her social media feed, feeling a twinge of jealousy as she saw her ex's new relationship status.
• He clenched his jaw as he watched his colleague receive praise for a project he had worked on tirelessly.

Exercises for Showing Resentment

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing resentment:

• Write a scene where the character is forced to work with someone they resent.
• Write a monologue where the character expresses their feelings of resentment towards a person or situation.
• Write a scene where the character is confronted by the object of their resentment.
• Write a flashback scene that shows the event that led to the character feeling resentful.
• Write a scene where the character tries to hide their resentment but it seeps out in small ways.
• Write a scene where the character confronts their feelings of resentment and tries to let them go.
• Write a scene where the character's resentment builds up to the point of explosion or breakdown.
• Write a scene where the character learns to forgive the person or situation they resent.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotional thesaurus.