jealousy
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for jealousy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of resentment or insecurity caused by fear of losing someone's affection or by envy of another's advantage.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use jealousy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fit of jealousy
consumed by jealousy
sibling jealousy
Etymology
From Old French "jalousie," built from "jealous" plus the noun-forming suffix "-y."
Full origin of jealousy →Frequently asked questions
What does “jealousy” mean?
The word “jealousy” means a feeling of resentment or insecurity caused by fear of losing someone's affection or by envy of another's advantage. In plain terms, the emotion of being jealous.
How do you pronounce “jealousy”?
“Jealousy” is pronounced JEHL-uh-see (/ˈd͡ʒɛl.ə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “jealousy” in a sentence?
Here is “jealousy” used in a sentence: “Jealousy crept in when he saw them laughing together.”
What is another word for “jealousy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jealousy” include jealousness.
What is the opposite of “jealousy”?
The opposite of “jealousy” — its antonyms — is compersion.
What part of speech is “jealousy”?
“Jealousy” is a noun.
Where does the word “jealousy” come from?
The word “jealousy” comes from Old French. From Old French "jalousie," built from "jealous" plus the noun-forming suffix "-y.".
Is “jealousy” a common word?
“Jealousy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between jealousy and envy?
Jealousy typically involves fear of losing something you already have, such as someone's affection, to a rival. Envy, by contrast, is wanting something someone else has that you do not possess yourself, such as their success or possessions.
What usually causes jealousy in relationships?
Jealousy in relationships is often caused by fear of losing a partner's affection to someone else, or by insecurity about the relationship's stability. It is a feeling of resentment or insecurity tied to a perceived threat from another person.
Is jealousy always a negative emotion?
Jealousy is generally described as a feeling of resentment or insecurity, which is unpleasant, but many psychologists view mild jealousy as a natural response to a perceived threat rather than something inherently harmful. Problems tend to arise when it becomes intense or controlling.
