A grudge is a persistent feeling of anger or resentment you hold onto after someone has wronged you. When you carry a grudge, you don't forget what happened, and you keep feeling upset about it, sometimes for months or even years.

Imagine a classmate embarrasses you during a presentation, and weeks later you still feel angry every time you see them. That lingering anger is a grudge. Or perhaps a friend breaks a promise, and even after they apologize, you keep bringing it up and refuse to fully forgive them. You're holding a grudge against them.

People often describe grudges as burdens because they weigh on you mentally. The phrase bearing a grudge captures this heaviness, like carrying something you can't put down. Someone might say, “I don't hold grudges,” meaning they choose to forgive and move forward rather than staying angry.

Grudges can poison friendships and make you miserable because you're constantly replaying old hurts instead of enjoying the present. The person you have a grudge against might not even remember the incident anymore, while you're still fuming about it. Most people find that letting go of grudges feels like setting down something heavy they've been carrying for too long.