invidious
3
9.2
- adjective
- /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/
- Formal
:
invidioso
- However, the prevalence of invidious communal politics in Africa has engendered societal fragmentation rather than integration.
- invidious distinctions
- invidious comparison
- invidious discrimination
That because that's so important, we're not going to assume that what is unexplained is invidious.
- That because that's so important, we're not going to assume that what is unexplained is invidious.
- But this was all made easier because invidious buzzwords were the root cause of at least a few of them.
Examples
-
After the "lost decade" of economic depression throughout Latin America, invidious comparisons were made with East Asia and Europe.
Academic text (1993) -
In large part, the situation reflects invidious discrimination which cannot be justified.
Academic text (1996) -
"As I said, I find myself in an invidious position.
Fiction book (1996) -
Personally, I have been placed in an invidious position.
-
The task would be an invidious one and one beyond my poor powers.
-
"I find myself in a somewhat invidious position," said the younger man in a voice that was clearly troubled.
Fiction book (1996) -
Sexual misconduct on the part of employees can place employers in an invidious position.
Academic text (1990) -
The mainstream media joined the campaign with enthusiasm and passion, expressing great indignation and employing invidious language.
Academic text (1993) -
Throughout this report, individual achievement is disparaged—not blatantly, but by invidious comparison to a vaguely communitarian ideal.
Academic text (1990) -
Sexual misconduct on the part of employees can place employers in an invidious position.
Synonyms
34
6.0
Treating people unfairly because of their race, sex, age, or religion
20
8.2
Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel strong dislike
2
9.8
Very unfair and wrong in a way that harms people
Antonyms
How Offensive
89
5.8
- Formal
3
9.2
- Offensive
261
4.0
76
2.8
215
1.0
231
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
invidious = invidi + ous
Although historically built from Latin invidia + the adjective suffix -ous, the root form is not a recognisable productive English base (unlike 'envy'), so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.
Etymology
Invidious comes from Latin that meant 'to look at with envy', made of in- 'against' and videre 'to see', and it is related to the word envy and the 'see' root in vision and video. So an invidious remark or action is one that makes people 'look' with envy or feel unfairly treated and angry.