invidious

adjective

in·​vid·​i·​ous in-ˈvi-dē-əs 

1

a

: of an unpleasant or objectionable nature : obnoxious

invidious remarks

b

: of a kind to cause harm or resentment

an invidious comparison

2

: tending to cause discontent, animosity, or envy

the invidious task of arbitration

3

: envious

invidiously adverb

invidiousness noun

Did you know?

Fittingly, "invidious" is a relative of "envy." Both are descendants of "invidia," the Latin word for "envy," which in turn comes from invidēre, meaning "to look askance at" or "to envy." ("Invidious" descends from "invidia" by way of the Latin adjective invidiosus, meaning "envious," whereas "envy" comes to English via the Anglo-French noun envie.) These days, however, "invidious" is rarely used as a synonym for "envious." The preferred uses are primarily pejorative, describing things that are unpleasant (such as "invidious choices" and "invidious tasks") or worthy of scorn ("invidious remarks" or "invidious comparisons").

Synonyms

• jealous

Examples of invidious in a Sentence

The boss made invidious distinctions between employees.

inevitably, his remarkable success attracted the invidious attention of the other sales representatives

Recent Examples on the Web

With such invidious comparisons, and with such a dim view of collective action, Williams is unable to make the case as to how precisely his homeland is to move towards a post-racial utopia. —Book Marks august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025

More precisely, Jews have been subjected to an invidious double standard: attacks, verbal and physical, that would never be tolerated against Blacks, gays and other minorities are not only tolerated, but often justified when directed at Jews. —Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025

As a next step, the FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act and the agency’s EEO rules, including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025

Spelling Bee Tedious, invidious, devious, conquer, identify, magnify, sibilant, uranium. —John McPhee, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin invidiosus envious, invidious, from invidia envy — more at envy

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for invidious

• fastidious
• insidious
• hideous

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Kids Definition

invidious

adjective

in·​vid·​i·​ous in-ˈvid-ē-əs 

1

: of an unpleasant or objectionable kind

invidious criticism

2

: of a kind to cause resentment

an invidious comparison

invidiously adverb

invidiousness noun

Legal Definition

invidious

adjective

in·​vid·​i·​ous in-ˈvi-dē-əs 

: of, relating to, or being discrimination that arises from the creation of a classification that is arbitrary, irrational, or capricious and not related to a legitimate purpose

invidiously adverb

invidiousness noun