invidious Definition
- 1likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others
- 2unfairly discriminating; unjust
Using invidious: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "invidious" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
It would be invidious to single out one employee for praise.
Example
The new policy has been criticized as being invidious towards certain groups.
Example
Her invidious comments about her coworkers caused tension in the office.
invidious Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for invidious
Phrases with invidious
a comparison that is likely to cause resentment or dissatisfaction
Example
Comparing the two employees' performance is an invidious comparison that could lead to conflict.
a distinction that unfairly separates or discriminates against a particular group
Example
The invidious distinction between men and women in the workplace has been a topic of debate for years.
a difficult or unpleasant position in which one is forced to choose between two undesirable options
Example
The manager was in an invidious position when she had to decide which employee to lay off.
Origins of invidious
from Latin 'invidiosus', meaning 'envious'
Summary: invidious in Brief
The term 'invidious' [in-vid-ee-uhs] describes something that is likely to cause resentment or anger in others, or that is unfairly discriminatory. It can refer to comparisons, distinctions, or positions that are difficult or unpleasant. Examples include 'Her invidious comments about her coworkers caused tension in the office,' and 'The new policy has been criticized as being invidious towards certain groups.' Synonyms include 'biased' and 'partial,' while antonyms include 'fair' and 'impartial.'