invidiousness

The manager's invidiousness created a tense atmosphere in the office.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Quality of arousing resentment or ill will: "invidiousness" refers to the quality of being likely to cause envy, anger, or resentment, especially due to perceived unfairness or favoritism.
   • Offensive or discriminatory nature: It also denotes the state of being likely to give offense or create a sense of injustice, often by making unflattering comparisons.

Usage Examples

• (The decision caused resentment because it seemed unfair.)
• (The comparison was offensive and likely to provoke envy.)

Advanced Usage

• "the invidiousness of a situation": the quality of a circumstance that creates ill will or hurt feelings.
  • The invidiousness of being singled out for praise made him uncomfortable. (The situation felt unfair and caused resentment among others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Invidious (adj): likely to cause resentment or anger, especially because of unjust treatment.

  • He made an invidious comparison between the two teams. (The comparison was unfair and likely to cause ill will.)

• Invidiously (adv): in a manner that arouses resentment or ill will.

  • She was invidiously compared to her more successful sister. (The comparison was made in a way that caused resentment.)

Synonyms

• Unfairness: lack of justice or impartiality.
• Resentfulness: the quality of causing bitter indignation.
• Discriminatory nature: the quality of making unjust distinctions.

Related Idioms

• "To draw an invidious distinction": to make a comparison that is likely to cause resentment.

  • The teacher drew an invidious distinction between the two students, praising one while ignoring the other. (The comparison was unfair and caused bad feelings.)

• "Invidious position": a situation that is likely to cause resentment or hostility.

  • He found himself in the invidious position of having to choose between his two best friends. (The choice was difficult and likely to cause offense.)