jealous

adjective

ˈje-ləs How to pronounce jealous (audio)
Definition of jealousnext
1
as in possessive
intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness a boyfriend who became jealous whenever she paid attention to anyone but him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in envious
having or showing mean resentment of another's possessions or advantages was jealous of his friend's great popularity with the girls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 jealous However, pointing that out while Lisa is taking a victory lap on this trip is just making Heather look jealous and unsupportive. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Bruno was left a little jealous after seeing what transpired at Reliant Stadium. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026 None of this means the machine is annoyed, jealous or anxious to please. — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Payne is jealous that LA28’s torch relay will reach every corner of the United States when Atlanta only managed 42 states. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jealous
  1. possessive
  2. envious
  3. covetous
  4. resentful
  5. malicious
Adjective
  • Perhaps that’s why the first of Cyrus’ shows at the Hollywood Bowl felt so possessive, so intrinsically tied to her recent eras and willing to explore them.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of possessive
Adjective
  • Wang failed her first attempt to defend her dissertation and became envious of her colleague's success in discovering how to deliver RNA to human cells using bacteria, Gomelsky told The Associated Press.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Gomelsky said Wang did not pass her first dissertation defense and became envious of her colleague's achievement in finding a way to use bacteria to deliver RNA to human cells.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of envious
Adjective
  • Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
  • For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.
    — Matt Kamen, Wired News, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of covetous
Adjective
  • Todd also mentioned feeling shut out from Grace’s thoughts and decision-making process; of course he’s been unsettled and worried as well as resentful.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The once-promising prodigy will grow dissolute, remorseful and resentful of his wife, who outlives him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of resentful
Adjective
  • The malicious system component silently installs apps that look like weather tools, app lockers and other everyday utilities.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation also warned that malicious actors could exploit the vulnerabilities to execute code remotely, putting sensitive data and networks at risk.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of malicious

Browse Nearby Words

jazzy
jealous
jealously
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Cite this Entry

“Jealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jealous. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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