Word: invidious (adjective)

Associations

The word "invidious" describes something that is likely to cause anger, resentment, or envy in others. It often refers to actions, comparisons, or situations that seem unfair or cause dislike because they highlight differences or disadvantages.

• An invidious comparison: When you compare two people in a way that makes one feel bad or less valued.
• An invidious decision: A choice that seems unfair and causes resentment among people.
• Invidious remarks: Comments that hurt someone's feelings or create jealousy.

Synonym: "unfair" or "offensive" can be similar, but "invidious" specifically emphasizes causing envy or resentment, often in a subtle or indirect way.

Substitution

You can replace "invidious" with:

• unfair (if focusing on justice)
• offensive (if focusing on causing hurt)
• jealous (if focusing on envy)
• discriminatory (if focusing on unfair treatment)

Each substitution changes the tone slightly. For example, "unfair" is more general, while "invidious" often suggests a social or emotional hurt.

Deconstruction

• Root: The word comes from Latin "invidiosus," from "invidia" meaning "envy" or "jealousy."
• Prefix: "in-" means "in" or "on."
• Root "vid" relates to "see," but in Latin "invidia" means envy, so it's about seeing with envy or resentment.
• Suffix: "-ious" is an adjective ending meaning "full of" or "having the quality of."

So, "invidious" literally means "full of envy" or "causing envy or resentment."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt someone made an invidious comparison about you or someone else?
• How might an invidious comment affect a group of friends or coworkers?
• Why do you think people make invidious remarks even if they cause hurt or jealousy?