jealous
Green with wanting
Jealous describes the fear of losing something you have—especially someone's affection or attention—to a rival: She was jealous of his friendship with his ex.
The word often extends to envy, wanting what someone else has: I'm jealous of your vacation photos.
Purists distinguish jealousy (guarding what's yours) from envy (coveting what isn't), but common usage blurs this.
A jealous God tolerates no rivals.
To guard something jealously is to protect it fiercely.
Wanting what others possess
- covetousEagerly wanting others' possessions
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- begrudgingReluctantly allowing or giving
- green-eyedMarked by envy
bitter · grudging · discontent · yearning · longing · desirous · emulation · ill-will
Tending to hold on
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- controllingExerting authority over others
- obsessiveConsumed by fixation
- smotheringDepriving of air
overprotective · domineering · monopolizing · demanding · exclusive · guarded · mine · proprietary
Troubled by uncertainty
- fearfulFull of fright
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- inferiorOf lower rank
threatened · worried · uneasy · uncertain · comparing · unworthy · replaceable · afraid
Lacking faith in others
- paranoidUnreasonably suspicious of others
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- accusatoryExpressing blame or fault
snooping · checking · monitoring · interrogating · doubting · wary · mistrustful · vigilant
Driven by rivalry
- rivalOne who competes against
- vyingCompeting eagerly for something
- contendingStriving in rivalry
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
competing · outdoing · one-upping · measuring · comparing · threatening · usurper · challenger
Actively protecting something
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- safeguardingPreventing harm or loss
- shieldingProtecting from harm
defending · cherishing · prizing · valuing · treasuring · keeping · preserving
envious
Wanting what others possess
- covetousEagerly wanting others' possessions
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- begrudgingReluctantly allowing or giving
green-eyed · bitter · grudging · discontent · yearning · longing · desirous · emulation · ill-will · spite
clingy
Tending to hold on
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- controllingExerting authority over others
- obsessiveConsumed by fixation
smothering · overprotective · domineering · monopolizing · demanding · exclusive · guarded · mine · proprietary · clinging
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
- fearfulFull of fright
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
inferior · threatened · worried · uneasy · uncertain · comparing · unworthy · replaceable · afraid · lacking
distrustful
Lacking faith in others
- paranoidUnreasonably suspicious of others
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
accusatory · snooping · checking · monitoring · interrogating · doubting · wary · mistrustful · vigilant · suspicious
competitive
Driven by rivalry
- rivalOne who competes against
- vyingCompeting eagerly for something
- contendingStriving in rivalry
adversarial · competing · outdoing · one-upping · measuring · comparing · threatening · usurper · challenger · interloper
guarding
Actively protecting something
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- safeguardingPreventing harm or loss
shielding · defending · cherishing · prizing · valuing · treasuring · keeping · preserving
- moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- fairytale adjectivesmagical, enchanted, wicked, cursed, charming
jealoustrusting
Inclined to believe others
secure · confident · trustful · undemanding · permissive
jealousgenerous
Willing to give freely
benevolent · magnanimous · admiring · happy for others · charitable
- jealous rageAngry outburst from possessiveness
- jealous exEnvious former romantic partner
- jealous typeSomeone easily envious romantically
- jealous husbandMan threatened by rivals
- romantic jealousyDistress over rival threat
- sibling jealousyEnvy between brothers/sisters