class envy
Coveting others' wealth
Class envy is resentment toward those in a higher social or economic class, driven by desire for what they possess—wealth, status, privilege.
The term often appears in political discourse, where it cuts both ways: critics of wealth redistribution dismiss such policies as appealing to class envy, while others argue the phrase is used to delegitimize valid concerns about inequality.
They accused him of stoking class envy with his tax proposals.
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- covetingDesiring what's another's
- desireIntense wanting
craving · wanting · materialism · keeping up with the Joneses · status anxiety · comparison · green-eyed · begrudging
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- discontentUnhappiness with circumstances
grievance · rancor · spite · antipathy · alienation · ill will · acrimony · indignation
Earnest sustained endeavor
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
- social climbingSeeking higher status
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- advancementForward movement or promotion
self-improvement · bootstrapping · American Dream · nouveau riche · arriviste · assimilation · betterment · drive
Measurable difference between things
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- wealth gapEconomic inequality measure
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
socioeconomic · affluence · poverty · oligarchy · plutocracy · elitism · segregation · discrimination
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
desire · craving · wanting · materialism · keeping up with the Joneses · status anxiety · comparison · green-eyed · begrudging · emulation
bitterness
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
discontent · grievance · rancor · spite · antipathy · alienation · ill will · acrimony · indignation · frustration
striving
Earnest sustained endeavor
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
- social climbingSeeking higher status
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
advancement · self-improvement · bootstrapping · American Dream · nouveau riche · arriviste · assimilation · betterment · drive · motivation
disparity
Measurable difference between things
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
- wealth gapEconomic inequality measure
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
privilege · socioeconomic · affluence · poverty · oligarchy · plutocracy · elitism · segregation · discrimination · marginalization
- envy themesjealousy, covetousness, green-eyed monster, resentment, bitterness
- status anxietystatus anxiety, social comparison, comparison, keeping up with the Joneses, social climbing