Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 9, 2024 is: grudging \GRUH-jing\ adjective

Grudging is an adjective used to describe something that is said, done, or given unwillingly or reluctantly. It can also describe someone who is unwilling or reluctant to do something.

// Her theories have begun to win grudging acceptance in the scientific community.

// A number of his former critics have become grudging admirers.

[See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grudging)

Examples:

“‘I’m impressed,’ said Mati, grudging admiration in her tone. ‘It isn’t just a pretty name and expensive ingredients. I can never make something this tasty.’” — Ken Liu, The Veiled Throne, 2022

Did you know?

The English language has been carrying a [grudge](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grudge) for a long time—since the 13th century to be exact, when it took the Anglo-French verb grucher/grucer and made it grucchen/grudgen. Both words meant “to grumble and complain” (and if their shared definition, combined with their spelling and pronunciation, reminds you of a certain furry green [Muppet](https://www.britannica.com/art/Muppet) who lives in a trash can, you’re onto something: [grouch](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grouch) is thought to be a grucchen descendant). Over time grucchen/grudgen became grudge, which picked up the additional, closely related meanings of “to be unwilling to give or allow” and “to allow with reluctance or resentment,” as when [Virginia Woolf](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Virginia-Woolf) wrote “if you come to grudge even the sun for shining … fruit does not ripen.” Grudging, which developed from grudge, made its English debut in the 1530s, and has been used ever since to describe someone who is unwilling or reluctant (“a grudging supporter”) or something done or given reluctantly or sparingly (“grudging respect”).