Anger vs. Resentment — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 21, 2024
Anger is a strong, immediate emotion in response to perceived threats; resentment lingers, rooted in perceived injustices over time.
Difference Between Anger and Resentment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Anger is a powerful and often temporary emotional response to a specific trigger, such as an immediate threat, insult, or frustration. It is characterized by feelings of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. Resentment, on the other hand, is a more enduring emotional state, stemming from a sense of injustice or wrongdoing that has not been addressed or resolved. It involves harboring negative feelings towards someone or something over a period of time.
While anger can arise quickly and intensely, often leading to a direct and immediate reaction or confrontation, resentment tends to build up slowly and can linger for a long time, sometimes even without a direct confrontation. This makes resentment a more passive emotion, whereas anger is more active and outwardly expressed.
Anger is usually a more visible emotion, often expressed through facial expressions, body language, and actions. People around an angry person can typically identify their emotional state quite easily. Resentment, however, is more internalized and can be hidden, making it less obvious to others. This hidden nature can make it more challenging to address and resolve resentment.
The triggers for anger are often immediate and specific, such as being cut off in traffic or being insulted. Resentment, however, usually stems from ongoing issues, such as long-term unfair treatment, unresolved conflicts, or deep-seated grievances. This difference in triggers can affect how each emotion is managed and resolved.
Anger and resentment can both have significant impacts on personal relationships, but they do so in different ways. Anger might lead to immediate arguments or conflicts, potentially causing short-term strain. Resentment, on the other hand, can erode relationships over time, leading to a gradual breakdown in communication and trust.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Immediate and intense
Enduring and simmering
Expression
Often outward and visible
Internalized and less visible
Trigger
Specific and immediate incidents
Long-term injustices or grievances
Resolution
Can be quick with confrontation
Requires addressing underlying issues
Impact on Relationships
Can cause immediate conflict
Erodes relationships over time
Compare with Definitions
Anger
A strong emotional response to a perceived provocation, frustration, or threat.
She felt a surge of anger when she saw the unfair grading.
Resentment
A lingering emotion stemming from a sense of injustice or unaddressed grievances.
Years of being overlooked at work bred deep resentment in him.
Anger
Can be resolved through direct confrontation or calming techniques.
After expressing his anger, he felt relieved and calmer.
Resentment
Often harbored internally, sometimes without explicit outward signs.
Her smile hid the resentment she felt towards her colleague.
Anger
Often manifested through raised voice, facial expressions, and body language.
His anger was evident in his clenched fists and stern voice.
Resentment
Can last for an extended period if the underlying issues are not resolved.
Her resentment towards her brother lingered for years.
Anger
Can lead to immediate, sometimes rash, actions or words.
In a moment of anger, he said things he later regretted.
Resentment
Requires addressing the root cause of the perceived injustice.
Discussing his feelings of resentment helped mend their friendship.
Anger
Typically short-lived, subsiding once the issue is addressed or emotions cool.
Her anger faded as she realized the misunderstanding.
Resentment
Can subtly undermine relationships and personal well-being over time.
His unchecked resentment gradually eroded their marriage.
Anger
A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility
The colonel's anger at his daughter's disobedience
Resentment
Resentment (also called ranklement or bitterness) is a complex, multilayered emotion that has been described as a mixture of disappointment, disgust, anger, and fear. Other psychologists consider it a mood or as a secondary emotion (including cognitive elements) that can be elicited in the face of insult and/or injury.Inherent in resentment is a perception of unfairness (i.e.
Anger
Fill (someone) with anger; provoke anger in
He was angered that he had not been told
She was angered by his terse answer
Resentment
Indignation or ill will stemming from a feeling of having been wronged or offended.
Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.
Resentment
Anger or displeasure stemming from belief that one has been wronged or betrayed by others; indignation.
Anger
To make angry; enrage or provoke.
Resentment
(obsolete) The state of holding something in the mind as a subject of contemplation, or of being inclined to reflect upon it; feeling; impression.
Anger
To become angry
She angers too quickly.
Resentment
(obsolete) satisfaction; gratitude
Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure, hostility or antagonism towards someone or something, usually combined with an urge to harm, often stemming from perceived provocation, hurt, or threat.
You need to control your anger.
Resentment
The act of resenting.
Anger
(obsolete) Pain or stinging.
Resentment
The state of holding something in the mind as a subject of contemplation, or of being inclined to reflect upon something; a state of consciousness; conviction; feeling; impression.
He retains vivid resentments of the more solid morality.
It is a greater wonder that so many of them die, with so little resentment of their danger.
Anger
(transitive) To cause such a feeling of antagonism in.
He who angers you conquers you.
Resentment
In a good sense, satisfaction; gratitude.
The Council taking notice of the many good services performed by Mr. John Milton, . . . have thought fit to declare their resentment and good acceptance of the same.
Anger
(intransitive) To become angry.
You anger too easily.
Resentment
In a bad sense, strong displeasure; anger; hostility provoked by a wrong or injury experienced.
Resentment . . . is a deep, reflective displeasure against the conduct of the offender.
Anger is like A full-hot horse, who being allowed his way,Self-mettle tires him.
Can heavently minds such high resentment show,Or exercise their spite in human woe?
Anger
Trouble; vexation; also, physical pain or smart of a sore, etc.
I made the experiment, setting the moxa where . . . the greatest anger and soreness still continued.
Resentment
A feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
Anger
A strong passion or emotion of displeasure or antagonism, excited by a real or supposed injury or insult to one's self or others, or by the intent to do such injury.
Anger is likeA full hot horse, who being allowed his way,Self-mettle tires him.
Anger
To make painful; to cause to smart; to inflame.
He . . . angereth malign ulcers.
Anger
To excite to anger; to enrage; to provoke.
Taxes and impositions . . . which rather angered than grieved the people.
Anger
A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
Anger
The state of being angry
Anger
Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Anger
Make angry;
The news angered him
Anger
Become angry;
He angers easily
Common Curiosities
What is the primary cause of anger?
Anger is typically caused by a specific and immediate provocation, threat, or frustration.
Can anger turn into resentment?
Yes, if anger is not addressed and stems from ongoing issues, it can evolve into resentment.
Is resentment harder to resolve than anger?
Yes, because resentment involves deeper, more entrenched feelings and may require addressing long-standing issues.
How is resentment different from anger in terms of expression?
Resentment is more internalized and can be concealed, whereas anger is often expressed outwardly.
What strategies can help in overcoming resentment?
Strategies include open communication, forgiveness, and seeking professional help if needed.
Can resentment affect one's health?
Yes, long-term resentment can lead to stress, depression, and other health issues.
Is it possible to feel both anger and resentment simultaneously?
Yes, one can feel both, especially if immediate issues are part of ongoing grievances.
How can anger be managed effectively?
Through techniques like deep breathing, taking a time-out, or constructive communication.
Is it normal to experience both anger and resentment?
Yes, both are normal emotions but require management to prevent negative consequences.
What are the physical signs of anger?
Physical signs include increased heart rate, flushed face, and tensed muscles.
How do anger and resentment differ in terms of impact on decision-making?
Anger can lead to impulsive decisions, while resentment might cause biased or avoidant decision-making.
Can expressing anger or resentment be beneficial?
Expressing these emotions in a constructive manner can lead to resolution and personal growth.
Are there any positive aspects of anger?
Anger can be a motivator for change or a signal that an issue needs to be addressed.
How does resentment manifest in relationships?
It can lead to passive-aggressive behavior, detachment, and a breakdown in communication.
Can cultural factors influence the expression of anger and resentment?
Yes, cultural norms can dictate how openly emotions like anger and resentment are expressed.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
