Words / C2

in-VID-ee-uh-s/ɪnˈvɪdiəs/

Invidious means likely to cause resentment or to look unfair, especially of a choice or comparison: an invidious position, invidious comparisons. Unenviable is a cousin; envious / invidious is the classic mix-up — invidious is not “full of envy”. Odious is hateful. Do not call every budget cut invidious to avoid naming the criterion.

Meaning

Unpleasant and likely to cause resentment, especially of a comparison or choice (formal).

Examples

• “Choosing which clinic to cut is an invidious task, not a slogan.”
• “Unenviable is close. Envious is the feeling of envy — not a synonym. Odious is disgusting. An invidious comparison ranks people so as to wound. A published, consistent rule can still hurt; it is not automatically invidious if the criterion is named.”

Good to know

Likely to cause resentment (of a choice or comparison). Mix-up: envious (feeling envy). Close: unenviable. Name the rule; do not hide behind the adjective.

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