23 Other Ways to Say JEALOUSY | Jealousy Synonyms (Examples)

During our lives, we all feel jealousy, but there are many words to describe this emotion. Words like envy, resentment, and covetousness can express it in different ways. Understanding these alternatives helps you describe feelings more accurately. In this article, we will explore 23 different ways to say jealousy, with examples to make them easier to use.

23 Different Ways to Say JEALOUSY: Another Word for Jealousy

Envy

Envy is the feeling when you wish you had what someone else owns. It is often used to describe wanting a person’s things, skills, or success. Envy is very common among friends, coworkers, or family members. You can use it when someone has something you want, like a car, job, or recognition. This word is useful because it is direct and shows your feeling clearly without hurting anyone. Use envy in conversations, stories, or examples to explain jealousy without sounding too harsh.

• She looked at her friend’s new phone with envy.
• His envy grew when he saw their house.
• She felt envy for her sister’s success.
• Their envy made them argue constantly.

Resentment

Resentment shows jealousy mixed with anger. This happens when someone feels they are treated unfairly or someone else is doing better. You use it to show long-lasting or deep feelings of being upset. It works in friendships, family situations, or workplaces. Resentment can make relationships difficult if it is not solved. Using this word shows that jealousy is not just about wanting, but also about frustration and unfairness. People feel resentment when others achieve something they wish they had.

• He felt resentment when she got promoted.
• Her resentment toward her brother was obvious.
• He hid his resentment but felt it inside.
• The resentment grew over time between them.

Covetousness

Covetousness is a strong form of wanting something someone else has. It can be about money, possessions, or even achievements. This word shows that the desire is strong and sometimes unhealthy. It is often used in formal writing or serious discussions. Covetousness is best when describing feelings of wanting more than what is yours or wishing for someone else’s success. It shows the intensity of jealousy and can explain behavior that comes from wanting too much.

• His covetousness of her necklace was clear.
• She stared with covetousness at their garden.
• He could not hide his covetousness for the job.
• The covetousness led to tension between friends.

Rivalry

Rivalry is when jealousy mixes with competition. People feel rivalry when they want to do better than someone else. It often happens in schools, sports, or at work. Rivalry can push people to try harder but can also create stress and conflict. Use this word to describe situations where jealousy leads to competition. Rivalry is natural, but it shows that people are comparing themselves with others. It is an active feeling, not just wanting but also trying to win.

• There was rivalry between the two teams.
• The rivalry at work was intense.
• Sibling rivalry made the house noisy.
• Their rivalry pushed them to study harder.

Spite

Spite is jealousy that causes someone to act mean or harmful. When people do things out of spite, they try to hurt others because of jealousy. It is often seen in arguments, personal relationships, or small conflicts. Using spite shows that jealousy can become negative actions. It is strong and visible. This word works well when you want to show the darker side of jealousy. People act out of spite when they feel upset or ignored and want to get back at others.

• She acted out of spite when he ignored her.
• His spite made him sabotage her project.
• They laughed at her spiteful comment.
• Her spite grew over the unfair treatment.

Grudge

Grudge is a feeling of jealousy mixed with anger that lasts a long time. People hold grudges when they cannot forgive someone. This word is used for friends, family, and coworkers. A grudge shows that jealousy has turned into bitterness. Using grudge shows that the feeling is strong and continues over time. It is helpful when describing a long-term emotional effect caused by jealousy or envy. People who hold grudges may act differently toward the person they are jealous of.

• He held a grudge against his friend for years.
• Her grudge made her cold toward him.
• The grudge affected their family meetings.
• They could not move past the old grudge.

Invidiousness

Invidiousness is a formal way to describe jealousy that causes tension or discomfort. It happens when someone’s success makes others feel bad. This word is often used in work or social situations. Invidiousness shows that jealousy can hurt relationships. It is useful when describing strong feelings that are obvious to others. People feel invidiousness when they compare themselves and feel left behind. Using this word highlights both jealousy and its negative effect on people around.

• The promotion caused invidiousness among the team.
• She noticed invidiousness in their comments.
• His invidiousness led to arguments.
• They avoided him because of his invidiousness.

Bitterness

Bitterness is jealousy combined with sadness or anger. It is a deep feeling that comes from loss or unfair situations. People feel bitter when they think someone else got something they wanted. This word is common in personal stories, relationships, or work issues. Bitterness can last a long time if not addressed. Using bitterness shows that jealousy can create negative emotions inside, affecting behavior and thoughts. People with bitterness may speak or act differently toward those they feel jealous of.

• She spoke with bitterness about her lost chance.
• His bitterness grew over time.
• The bitterness affected their friendship.
• They remembered the bitterness from the past.

Enviousness

Enviousness is the feeling of wanting something someone else has. It is very close to envy but focuses on personal emotions. Use it when describing jealousy about achievements, possessions, or attention. Enviousness can be mild or strong depending on the situation. It helps explain emotional reactions in social situations, school, or work. People show enviousness in subtle ways, like looking at someone’s success or keeping comparisons. It is a useful word when describing jealousy in stories or examples.

• His enviousness grew when he saw her car.
• She felt enviousness of her sister’s grades.
• Their enviousness caused jealousy at work.
• The enviousness made him avoid friends.

Jealousy

Jealousy is the feeling when you worry someone else may take what you have. It can be about love, attention, or possessions. It is common and easy to understand. This word works in almost every situation. Using jealousy is simple but effective to describe feelings toward friends, family, or partners. People feel jealousy in relationships, at work, or in social life. It can be small or intense depending on the situation. Jealousy is often used in stories, conversations, and descriptions of emotions.

• Her jealousy was clear when he talked to others.
• He felt jealousy over her success.
• Their jealousy caused fights.
• She could not hide her jealousy.

Suspicion

Suspicion is jealousy mixed with doubt. People feel suspicious when they think someone may take or get something they want. It often happens in relationships or close interactions. Using suspicion shows that jealousy can lead to worrying and mistrust. It helps explain emotional reactions in daily life. People act differently when suspicious because they are afraid of losing something. Suspicion is useful when talking about relationships, trust, or competition.

• He looked at her with suspicion.
• Her suspicion grew when he was late.
• They acted with suspicion toward the new neighbor.
• His suspicion caused tension in their relationship.

Distrust

Distrust is stronger than suspicion and shows jealousy with no belief in others. People feel distrust when they cannot rely on someone. It appears in work, friendship, or family situations. Using distrust explains why jealousy affects behavior and decisions. Distrust can make people careful or distant. It is helpful when describing relationships where jealousy is mixed with fear or insecurity. People with distrust are often hesitant to trust the person they feel jealous of.

• There was distrust between the partners.
• She felt distrust toward his intentions.
• His distrust grew over time.
• The distrust caused arguments at work.

Coveting

Coveting is actively wanting something someone else has. It is stronger than envy and shows intense desire. People covet objects, jobs, attention, or achievements. Using coveting shows both jealousy and action. It often leads to visible behaviors or thoughts. Coveting can be mild or strong, depending on feelings. This word is helpful in storytelling, work discussions, or personal experiences to describe strong wanting.

• She kept coveting her neighbor’s car.
• He was coveting the promotion.
• Their coveting led to tension.
• She could not hide her coveting of his success.

Grievance

Grievance is jealousy combined with complaint or unfairness. People feel grievances when they think they deserve something others have. It is common in work, school, and personal life. Using grievance shows both jealousy and concern for fairness. People may voice grievances in conversations, letters, or meetings. Grievance is helpful for explaining why someone feels upset because of what others have achieved.

• He voiced a grievance against the manager.
• Her grievance was about the unfair rule.
• The grievance caused a meeting with HR.
• They resolved the grievance slowly.

Competitiveness

Competitiveness is when jealousy motivates people to do better. It appears in work, sports, and school. People with competitiveness compare themselves with others to improve. Using competitiveness shows a positive side of jealousy. It helps explain why people work harder when others succeed. Competitiveness can be healthy if it encourages growth and improvement. It shows jealousy as energy rather than negative feelings.

• Their competitiveness made them train harder.
• He showed competitiveness in the game.
• The competitiveness pushed her to succeed.
• They used competitiveness to improve teamwork.

Malice

Malice is jealousy that turns into the desire to harm. People act with malice when they want revenge or hurt others. It is strong and negative. Using malice explains dangerous or unkind behaviors caused by jealousy. People with malice often speak harshly or act to cause trouble. This word is helpful in storytelling or describing conflicts. Malice shows jealousy as action, not just feeling.

• His words were full of malice.
• She acted with malice toward her rival.
• The malice caused problems in the office.
• He hid his malice, but it was obvious.

Enmity

Enmity is long-term hatred mixed with jealousy. People feel enmity when they dislike someone for a long time. It often occurs in families, schools, or workplaces. Using enmity shows strong negative feelings caused by jealousy. People with enmity act cold or distant. It helps describe relationships where jealousy has grown into hate. Enmity is a serious word that shows long-lasting and strong negative emotions.

• Old enmity made them fight.
• The enmity between neighbors was well known.
• She could not forget the enmity from school.
• His enmity grew with every argument.

Begrudging

Begrudging shows jealousy in a subtle way. People give praise or recognition reluctantly when they feel jealous. It often appears in work or social situations. Using begrudging shows hidden feelings of jealousy. People may smile, speak, or act in a way that shows they are not happy about others’ success. It is useful when describing emotions that are not fully expressed but clearly present. Begrudging shows jealousy quietly, not loudly, and is often noticed by careful observation.

• He gave her praise in a begrudging way.
• She smiled begrudgingly at his success.
• The begrudging comment showed jealousy.
• They acknowledged it in a begrudging tone.

Rivalrous

Rivalrous describes people competing because of jealousy. It shows active jealousy in relationships or work. People with rivalrous feelings want to outdo others. Using this word shows jealousy as motivation and competition. It often appears in sports, work, or school. Rivalrous behavior can encourage growth but may also create tension. It helps describe situations where jealousy drives actions to be better than others.

• Their rivalrous nature caused tension.
• The rivalrous students competed for grades.
• They had a rivalrous relationship at work.
• Rivalrous behavior can push people to work harder.

Jealous

Jealous is the adjective for jealousy. It describes someone feeling insecure or wanting attention. People are jealous in love, friendships, or at work. Using jealous is simple and clear. It shows the person’s feeling directly. People often act differently when jealous, like watching closely or comparing themselves. Jealous is common in daily life and easy to recognize.

• He became jealous when she received praise.
• She felt jealous of her colleague.
• Their jealous behavior caused fights.
• He looked jealous at the party.

Contempt

Contempt can show jealousy as dislike or looking down on someone. People feel contempt when they are upset by another person’s success. Using contempt shows negative emotion caused by jealousy. It often appears in work, relationships, or social situations. Contempt can be subtle, like tone or expressions. It helps describe strong jealousy mixed with superiority or anger toward someone.

• His contempt showed his dislike for her achievement.
• She spoke with contempt about his promotion.
• The contempt was obvious in his tone.
• They ignored him out of contempt.

Hostility

Hostility is jealousy that turns into anger or aggression. People act hostile when they feel threatened or jealous. It shows strong negative feelings. Using hostility explains conflicts caused by jealousy. People may argue, fight, or act cold. Hostility is visible and can affect teamwork, friendships, or family. It is useful when describing active negative behaviors caused by jealousy.

• There was hostility in his voice.
• She acted with hostility toward her rival.
• The hostility made the team nervous.
• He faced hostility after winning the award.

Pettiness

Pettiness is jealousy over small or minor things. People feel petty when they care too much about little successes or attention. Using pettiness shows insecure or small jealousy. It often causes arguments over trivial matters. People act petty in work, friendships, or family. Pettiness helps describe jealousy that is not about big issues but still affects behavior and relationships.

• Their pettiness caused arguments.
• He was annoyed by her pettiness.
• The pettiness ruined the celebration.
• She laughed at their pettiness over gifts.

Final Thoughts

Jealousy can be expressed in many ways, from envy to pettiness. Each word shows a different feeling and situation. Using these synonyms helps communicate emotions more clearly and precisely.