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

No harsh chemicals for her, much to the amazement and envy of her Ghanaian classmates. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

When Jane Fonda hit the Oscars stage with a silver pixie cut in 2020, jaws dropped, heads turned and every woman painfully growing out their grays had instant hair envy. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

Depth options include Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Rodrygo and Endrick, giving Mourinho a bench most rivals would envy. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Al Davis would’ve envied how much head space Argentina occupies in the soccer world. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

Phrases Containing envy

• green with envy