envy 1 of 2

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

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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

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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
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a young starting rotation that would be the envy of most Major League Baseball teams. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 Manchester City have no such concerns, primarily because of revenues that are the envy of the Premier League. Sam Lee, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
But success breeds envy, and many fans have turned on the Chiefs. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025 How long before Musk envy—Musk resentment, even—takes hold? airmail.news, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for envy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envy
Noun
  • Natalia’s seething, building jealousy is the driving force of tension in a mood piece that never slackens over 95 minutes, despite the relative lightness of its plotting.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
  • According to the post, the two women have had a difficult history, with issues stemming from her 27-year-old stepsister's apparent jealousy.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Many resent the group for the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack that prompted Israel's devastating 15-month war.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The Heat also resented the Butler camp’s characterization of Butler dragging an undertalented team with him to two Finals appearances.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Flanked by cardboard cutouts of the 37th U.S. President bowling, the brothers discuss much more than their hatred of the man, including dropping out of law school, pro sports, and credit cards.
    Will DiGravio, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Our region has enough violence, hatred and incitement without more being added from the outside.
    Beren Cross, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Envy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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