Envyingly: meaning, definitions and examples
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envyingly
[ ˈɛnviɪŋli ]
emotional response
Envyingly describes an action done with envy or jealousy. It signifies that someone is performing a behavior that reveals their feelings of jealousy towards another person's qualities, possessions, or achievements. This term is often used in literary contexts to convey deeper emotional undertones. When someone acts envyingly, their behavior is tinged with a sense of longing or discontent about what someone else possesses.
Synonyms
covetously, jealously, resentfully
Examples of usage
- She looked at her friend's new car envyingly.
- He always spoke envyingly about her successful career.
- They watched the couple dance together, envyingly wishing for the same romance.
Etymology
The word 'envyingly' is derived from the root 'envy', which originates from the Latin word 'invidere', meaning to look at with malice. The prefix 'en-' is an example of a morpheme that can indicate causing to be or to become. As the English language evolved, the adaptation of 'envy' into various forms in Middle English showcased its incorporation into the emotional lexicon of the times. 'Envyingly' emerged as an adverbial form, allowing speakers to express nuanced manners in which envy manifests in behavior. Over time, the term became widely used in literature and poetry, often associated with themes of longing, jealousy, and societal comparison. Today, it is commonly employed in both formal and informal contexts, reflecting the human experience of jealousy in relationships and achievements.