invidious

[ in-vid-ee-uhs ]

See synonyms for invidious on Thesaurus.com

adjective

calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful: invidious remarks.
offensively or unfairly discriminating; injurious: invidious comparisons.

causing or tending to cause animosity, resentment, or envy: an invidious honor.
Obsolete. envious.

Origin of invidious

1600–10; <Latin invidiōsus envious, envied, hateful, equivalent to invidi(a) envy + -ōsus-ous

Other words from invidious

in·vid·i·ous·ly, adverb
in·vid·i·ous·ness, noun
non·in·vid·i·ous, adjective
non·in·vid·i·ous·ly, adverb
non·in·vid·i·ous·ness, noun
un·in·vid·i·ous, adjective
un·in·vid·i·ous·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with invidious

insidious, invidious

Words Nearby invidious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use invidious in a sentence

Can we find a way to prevent invidious discrimination without subjecting ourselves to government-enforced ideologies?
Gay Marriage Vs. the First Amendment | James Poulos | August 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Tevi Troy eschews any invidious mention of right-of-center think tanks in his critique.
What the Hell Just Happened at AEI? | David Frum | January 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The drive toward nihilism is invidious, and it adds a substantial layer of risk to the financial world and markets.
More Mania in the Markets | Zachary Karabell | October 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, the yoke of the foreigner came in more invidious guise.
Spanish Life in Town and Country | L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
It is, therefore, (p. 224) a matter of individual taste, and further comparisons would be invidious and perhaps unjust.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.

There was little indeed to be amused at here except his choice of the particular invidious name.
The Awkward Age | Henry James
Several exceptions must be understood; but to select them would be invidious.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2) | John West
That invidious task they leave to the unsuccessful novelists.
How to Fail in Literature | Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for invidious

invidious

/ (ɪnˈvɪdɪəs) /

adjective

incurring or tending to arouse resentment, unpopularity, etc: an invidious task
(of comparisons or distinctions) unfairly or offensively discriminating

obsolete grudging; envious

Origin of invidious

C17: from Latin invidiōsus full of envy, from invidia envy

Derived forms of invidious

invidiously, adverb
invidiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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