Invidious

usgb/ɪnˈvɪdiəs/
adjective

Causing or likely to cause anger or resentment.

He had the invidious task of choosing who to lay off
Visual representation of "invidious" - Causing or likely to cause anger or resentment

Often appears as...

  • an invidious choice
  • an invidious comparison

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "invidious"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Reaction

Invidious often describes situations provoking negative feelings, like jealousy or bitterness.

Illustration for Emotional Reaction
His invidious boasting about the promotion set a hostile tone in the office.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Tough Decisions

Use 'invidious' to highlight difficult decisions that might upset others.

Illustration for Tough Decisions
She faced the invidious decision of selecting only one for the scholarship.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Avoid Negative Tasks

Describe a task likely to be thankless or regarded unfavorably with 'invidious'.

Illustration for Avoid Negative Tasks
Organizing the event felt like an invidious task, as criticism was inevitable.
Word comparison image

Compare with

detrimentaldiscriminatoryhatefulinsidiousmaliciousobnoxiousoffensivepleasant
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Visual representation of the word "Invidious"

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