envy, covet, desire

envy, covet, desire
Both envy and covet suggest resentment of another's fortune or condition and a desire to have that condition or situation for oneself. Desire is a weaker word than either envy or covet, since it expresses "wishing" or "longing for" without necessarily implying spite, malice, or resentment of another's possessions. Envy is broadest in meaning of the three terms because it combines desire and ill will."Because he will never be well, he will always envy persons in good health." "This is a prize which everyone in the club should covet." "He desires a good reputation more than fame or money."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • covet — See envy, covet, desire. See envy, covet, desire …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • desire — See envy, covet, desire. See envy, covet, desire …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • envy — See envy, covet, desire See envy, jealousy …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • envy — 1. noun 1) a pang of envy Syn: jealousy, covetousness; resentment, bitterness, discontent; the green eyed monster 2) the firm is the envy of Europe Syn: finest, best, pride, top, cream …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • envy — 1. noun feelings of envy Syn: jealousy, covetousness, resentment, bitterness 2. verb 1) I admired and envied her Syn: be envious of, be jealous of, be resentful of 2) we envied her lifestyle …   Synonyms and antonyms dictionary

  • envy — n 1. jealousy, resentment, grudge, begrudging, heartburn, green eyed monster, enviousness; discontentment, malcontentedness, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, heartburning; rivalry, cupidity, Obs. emulation. 2. covetousness, desire, wanting, longing… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • covet — 1 Covet, envy, grudge, begrudge though not closely synonymous all carry the implication of a selfish desire to have something for one s own enjoyment or possession. To covet (for fuller treatment see DESIRE) is to long inordinately for something… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Envy — (also called invidiousness) may be defined as an emotion that occurs when a person lacks another’s superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it …   Wikipedia

  • Envy — En vy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Envied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Envying}.] [F. envier.] 1. To feel envy at or towards; to be envious of; to have a feeling of uneasiness or mortification in regard to (any one), arising from the sight of another s excellence …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • envy — [en′vē] n. pl. envies [ME & OFr envie < L invidia < invidus, having hatred or ill will < invidere, to look askance at < in , in, upon + videre, to look: see WISE2] 1. a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another s… …   English World dictionary

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