envy 1 of 2

noun

ˈen-vē How to pronounce envy (audio)
Definition of envynext
as in jealousy
a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too their envy of their neighbor's fancy home threatened to wreck their friendship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

envy

2 of 2

verb

as in to resent
to have a resentful awareness of and desire for (another's possessions or advantages) or to feel resentment toward (someone) over possessions or advantages her coworkers envied her chummy relationship with the senior vice president they envied him because he didn't have to work for a living

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of envy
Noun
Over time, my envy of Dad eased into a warm — if still grudging — admiration. — Daniel Duane, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 This is not to denigrate what pathbreaking American technology companies can accomplish on their own—their innovation is the envy of the world, and rightly so. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Jordan, to whom scorn comes more naturally than grace, accuses him of envying the rest of the troupe’s ennobling misery. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Depth options include Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Rodrygo and Endrick, giving Mourinho a bench most rivals would envy. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for envy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envy
  1. jealousy
  2. resent
  3. hatred
  4. resentment
Noun
  • Fischer and Wilson’s bawdy fable is predominately about how this flammable hunk makes the rest of the villagers burn up with jealousy.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Her unexpected romance with the creation (Alexander Skarsgård) sparks jealousy in the village.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of jealousy
Verb
  • This was carried out without consulting the Samoan people, and many of them continue to resent the division.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Someone who values uninterrupted time at home may resent the commute.
    — Christos Makridis, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of resent
Noun
  • The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Behavioral science research shows that when change is imposed from above, employees push back productivity drops, and resentment rises.
    — Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The episode was a bitter lesson for the group, resulting in resentment and division.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of resentment

Phrases Containing envy

Browse Nearby Words

envoys
envy
envying
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Cite this Entry

“Envy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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