invidious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
    discriminatory.
    • discriminatory attitudes and practices
    • invidious comparisons

WordNet

In*vid"i*ous adjective
Etymology
L. invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See Envy, and cf. Envious.
Definitions
  1. Envious; malignant. Obs. Evelyn.
  2. Worthy of envy; desirable; enviable. Obs.
    Such a person appeareth in a far more honorable and invidious state than any prosperous man. Barrow.
  3. Likely to incur or produce ill will, or to provoke envy; hateful; as, invidious distinctions.
    Agamemnon found it an invidious affair to give the preference to any one of the Grecian heroes. Broome.
    -- In*vid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- In*vid"i*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913