English Dictionary |
GRUDGING
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Dictionary entry overview: What does grudging mean?
• GRUDGING (adjective)
The adjective GRUDGING has 2 senses:
2. petty or reluctant in giving or spending
Familiarity information: GRUDGING used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of especially an attitude
Context example:
grudging acceptance of his opponent's victory
Similar:
unwilling (not disposed or inclined toward)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Petty or reluctant in giving or spending
Synonyms:
Context example:
a niggardly tip
Similar:
stingy; ungenerous (unwilling to spend (money, time, resources, etc.))
Context examples
How I was, in a grudging way I have no words for, envious of her grief.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Yes, I can work as hard as he can, and with as little grudging.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
I'd given one man and thought it too much, while he gave four without grudging them.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The young clerk flushed with pleasure at this chorus of praise, rude and indiscriminate indeed, and yet so much heartier and less grudging than any which he had ever heard from the critical brother Jerome, or the short-spoken Abbot.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I don't mind acknowledging to you that I've got rather a grudging disposition, and want to keep off all intruders.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
“I suppose not,” returned my aunt, rather grudging the admission; “but it's very aggravating. However, she's Barkis now. That's some comfort. Barkis is uncommonly fond of you, Trot.”
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
"Nope." After a pause he added "sir" in a dilatory, grudging way.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
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