invidiously
In bitter comparison
In a manner likely to cause resentment or envy, especially through unfair comparison or discrimination.
The policy invidiously favored longtime employees over newer hires.
The word carries a sense of injustice—not merely unequal treatment, but treatment designed to demean or exclude.
Unjust or partial
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- unjustNot fair or right
- inequitableNot fair or impartial
discriminatory · partial · one-sided · disparate · unequal · disproportionate · arbitrary · favoritism
Resentful of others' advantages
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
- begrudgingReluctantly allowing or giving
- covetousEagerly wanting others' possessions
green-eyed · spiteful · malicious · rancorous · animosity · ill-will · enmity · discontent
Causing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- inflammatoryTending to provoke outrage
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- antagonizingDeliberately causing hostility
alienating · discord · schism · factionalism · estrangement · disunity · rift · fracturing
Arousing strong dislike
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- objectionableDeserving disapproval or protest
- detestableWorthy of intense dislike
- loathsomeArousing intense disgust
repugnant · obnoxious · distasteful · disagreeable · unpleasant · repellent · abhorrent · contemptible
unfair
Unjust or partial
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- unjustNot fair or right
inequitable · discriminatory · partial · one-sided · disparate · unequal · disproportionate · arbitrary · favoritism · preferential
jealous
Resentful of others' advantages
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
- begrudgingReluctantly allowing or giving
covetous · green-eyed · spiteful · malicious · rancorous · animosity · ill-will · enmity · discontent · aggrieved
polarizing
Causing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- inflammatoryTending to provoke outrage
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
antagonizing · alienating · discord · schism · factionalism · estrangement · disunity · rift · fracturing · incendiary
hateful
Arousing strong dislike
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- objectionableDeserving disapproval or protest
- detestableWorthy of intense dislike
loathsome · repugnant · obnoxious · distasteful · disagreeable · unpleasant · repellent · abhorrent · contemptible · despicable
invidiouslyimpartially
Without taking sides
fairly · equitably · justly · even-handedly · evenhandedly
invidiouslypleasantly
In an enjoyable manner
agreeably · inoffensively · graciously · tactfully · benevolently
invidiouslybenevolently
In a kindhearted manner
generously · magnanimously · kindly · charitably · benignly