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
Jeon is marvelous in the role, allowing flashes of envy, resentment, and longing to surface beneath Mi-ok’s cheerful, accommodating manner without diminishing her warmth or loyalty. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 That’s according to executive coach Stacy Kim, who says there’s a difference between destructive envy and a more constructive response that helps people learn from others. — Harvard Business Review, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
Meet the new power couple—but there’s a catch DINKs have long been the couple to envy on paper, with a median household income of $193,900, compared with $151,900 for dual-income couples with kids, per Pew Research Center. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 During that period, he was envied as one of the top distribution and marketing minds in the business. — Richard Natale, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for envy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envy
  1. jealousy
  2. resent
  3. hatred
  4. resentment
Noun
  • The controversy that met me here was one borne of rumor and jealousy, which to this day is the most impersonal and easily absolvable of all of my internet crimes.
    — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The official winners of the Ballon d’Or have been announced, with Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas awarded their trophies at the London Palladium, receiving the acclaim (and the odd steely stare of jealousy) from their peers.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of jealousy
Verb
  • An elfin force of nature with the natural showmanship of someone who takes hospitality seriously, Leo has the charisma to command the loyalty of his fresh-faced staff—and the pragmatism to resent the Labour Party’s business reforms.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Others resent Kim while valuing the status his regime gives them.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of resent
Noun
  • Orlando should be proud of the people who gave those words meaning by refusing to let hatred go unanswered.
    — Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The exchange is one of many contentious clashes between those who oppose data centers in their communities, which have earned bipartisan hatred, and those advocating for them.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Weaver, among others, wasn’t sure how this resentment would play out at the ballot box.
    — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
  • VVoters across the country are furious over the high cost of health care, with resentment rippling across workers who get health coverage through their jobs.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 29 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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