Synonyms of envy

envy 1 of 2

noun

ˈen-vē 

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

• jealousy
• hatred
• resentment
• covetousness
• enviousness
• invidiousness
• animosity
• enmity
• malice
• green-eyed monster
• ill will
• spitefulness
• maliciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathy
• kindness
• goodwill
• benevolence

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

• resent
• begrudge
• want
• desire
• covet
• crave
• wish (for)
• long (for)
• die (for)
• hunger (for)
• lust (for or after)
• itch (for)
• ache (for)
• yen (for)
• thirst (for)
• yearn (for)
• jones (for)
• salivate
• hanker (for or after)
• pant (after)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of envy

Noun

His endorsements deal must be the envy of some of his critics among ex-USMNT players. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Nathan Howard | Bloomberg | Getty Images Virginia’s site readiness program is the envy of the nation. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Verb

Sharp, sleek, shoulder-grazing-length—what's not to envy about this edgy cut by stylist Chris Jones? — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

Ahead, discover 10 gem nail ideas that'll spark major manicure envy this summer. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 June 2026

Phrases Containing envy

• green with envy