grudgingly

/ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋli/ (ame, ipa)

grudgingly — adverb

1. doing or giving something only because you have to, while still feeling annoyed,

1.副詞C1
釋義

doing or giving something only because you have to, while still feeling annoyed, jealous, or bitter about it — for example, slow applause for a rival, or a flat thank-you after losing an argument.

例句

Lien grudgingly admitted that her younger sister had drawn a better picture.

grudgingly + admitted (concession verb)

After two months of complaints, the landlord grudgingly fixed the broken heater.

grudgingly + fixed (action done after pressure)

同義詞
  • reluctantly

    more neutral and common; emphasizes hesitation rather than resentment

  • unwillingly

    direct and plain; stresses the lack of consent without the jealousy

  • begrudgingly

    near-identical meaning; slightly more frequent in American English

  • resentfully

    foregrounds the bitter feeling, sometimes with no compliance at all

反義詞
  • willingly

    happy to do or give the thing without being pushed

  • wholeheartedly

    with full enthusiasm and no hidden bitterness

  • eagerly

    keen and excited rather than resistant

文法句型

grudgingly + verb

grudgingly at start of clause

用法筆記

Distinguish from 'reluctantly': both describe acting against one's wishes, but grudgingly adds a tone of resentment or jealousy — the speaker doesn't want to give the other person the satisfaction. Common with verbs of concession and giving: admit, agree, accept, hand over, praise, congratulate.

常見錯誤

❌Noa was grudgingly to lend me her notes.
✅Noa grudgingly lent me her notes.
💡'grudgingly' is an adverb and modifies a verb directly; do not use it after 'be' as if it were an adjective.
❌I hesitantly congratulated the winner, smiling at her trophy.
✅I grudgingly congratulated the winner, forcing a thin smile.
💡use 'grudgingly' (not 'hesitantly') when the feeling is resentment toward the other person's success, not personal uncertainty.