heartburning
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * Intense resentment or jealousy: A feeling of bitter indignation, often mixed with envy, typically caused by another person's success, advantage, or good fortune.
Usage
The noun "heartburning" is a formal or literary term used to describe deep-seated, often secret, resentment. It is typically used in contexts involving rivalry, competition, or perceived unfairness. It is commonly found in the construction "cause heartburning" or "much heartburning."
Examples
- The sudden wealth of their former neighbor caused heartburning in the community.
- There was heartburning among the senior staff when the young associate was made a partner.
- His rapid promotion was the source of much heartburning.
- The decision to award her the prize resulted in considerable heartburning among the other contestants.
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies that the resentment is internalized and gnawing, like a "burning" feeling in one's heart, rather than openly expressed.
- It can be used to describe collective discontent within a group: "The new policy created widespread heartburning in the department."
Variants and Related Words
- Heartburn (noun): While literally meaning a painful burning sensation in the chest from indigestion, it is etymologically related but not a direct synonym for the emotional sense of "heartburning."
- Heartburned (adjective, archaic): An old form meaning resentful or discontented.
Synonyms
- Resentment
- Jealousy
- Envy
- Grudge
- Bitterness
- Ill will
Antonyms
- Contentment
- Satisfaction
- Pleasure
- Approval
- Goodwill
Noun
- intense resentment
- his promotion caused much heartburning among his rivals