Opposite of Jealous: 31 Powerful Antonyms to Know

Jealous describes the feeling of envy—when someone wants what another person has, like success, love, or attention. It can also involve fear of losing something important, such as a relationship. But when someone feels secure, trusting, or genuinely happy for others, the opposite of jealous is a much better fit.

Antonyms for jealous include words like content, trusting, supportive, secure, and generous-hearted. These words show emotional balance and a healthy attitude toward others’ happiness or achievements. In this guide, we’ll explore these opposite words in context, so you can use them clearly and confidently in everyday conversations or writing.

Definition of Jealousy

Jealousy is an emotion characterized by feelings of envy, suspicion, and insecurity regarding someone else’s possessions, qualities, achievements, or relationships. It often arises from a perceived threat of losing something valuable to another person. The perceived threat can be real or imagined. Jealousy can manifest in various contexts, including romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, and professional settings. It’s important to distinguish jealousy from envy; jealousy involves a fear of losing something you already have, while envy involves a desire for something someone else possesses.

Jealousy can be a complex and multifaceted emotion. It often involves a combination of other feelings, such as anger, sadness, fear, and resentment.

The intensity of jealousy can vary depending on the individual, the situation, and the perceived threat. While mild jealousy can be a normal human experience, excessive or irrational jealousy can be detrimental to relationships and mental well-being.

Structural Breakdown of Jealousy

Understanding the structure of jealousy as an emotion helps in identifying its antonyms. Jealousy typically involves three key components:

  1. The Subject: The person experiencing the jealousy.
  2. The Object: The person, possession, or quality that the subject is jealous of.
  3. The Perceived Threat: The belief that the object is at risk of being lost or taken away by someone else.

For example, in the sentence “Sarah is jealous of Emily’s new car,” Sarah is the subject, Emily’s new car is the object, and Sarah likely perceives a threat to her own status or happiness due to Emily’s possession. The antonyms of jealousy, therefore, address one or more of these components by negating the negative feelings associated with them.

To effectively understand and combat jealousy, it’s crucial to analyze these components. By recognizing who or what triggers the feeling, and what perceived threat underlies it, individuals can begin to address the root causes of their jealousy and cultivate more positive and constructive emotions.

Opposite of Jealous

Opposite of Jealous

Jealousy manifests in various forms, each with its own nuances and underlying causes. Recognizing these different types can help in identifying the most appropriate antonyms and strategies for managing the emotion.

Romantic Jealousy

This is perhaps the most commonly recognized form of jealousy, arising in romantic relationships due to perceived threats from rivals or concerns about infidelity. It often involves feelings of possessiveness, insecurity, and fear of abandonment.

Familial Jealousy

This type of jealousy occurs within families, often between siblings competing for parental attention or resources. It can also arise when a new member joins the family, such as a step-parent or step-sibling.

Workplace Jealousy

In the workplace, jealousy can stem from envy of colleagues’ achievements, promotions, or recognition. It can lead to resentment, competition, and even sabotage.

Possessive Jealousy

This involves an excessive desire to control and dominate a partner or loved one. It often stems from deep-seated insecurity and a fear of losing the relationship.

Envious Jealousy

This type is closely related to envy and involves a desire for something that another person possesses, such as talent, wealth, or status. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

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Antonyms for Jealous

The antonyms for “jealous” encompass a range of positive emotions and attitudes that stand in direct contrast to the negativity associated with jealousy. These include contentment, generosity, trust, security, and apathy.

Contentment

Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction with one’s current situation. It involves appreciating what one has rather than focusing on what one lacks. A content person is less likely to experience jealousy because they are secure in their own worth and possessions.

Generosity

Generosity is the quality of being kind, giving, and unselfish. A generous person is happy to share their possessions, time, and attention with others and does not feel threatened by the success or happiness of others. This directly opposes the possessiveness often associated with jealousy.

Trust

Trust is the belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. In relationships, trust is the foundation for security and stability. When trust is present, there is less room for suspicion and jealousy.

Security

Security is the state of feeling safe, stable, and free from anxiety or fear. A secure person is confident in their own worth and abilities and does not feel threatened by the achievements or relationships of others. Security provides a strong buffer against jealousy.

Apathy

Apathy is a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. While not necessarily a positive emotion, apathy represents the absence of jealousy. A person who is apathetic simply does not care enough to feel jealous.

Examples of Antonyms in Context

The following tables provide examples of how antonyms for “jealous” can be used in various contexts, showcasing their contrasting meanings and applications.

Table 1: Contentment vs. Jealousy

This table illustrates the contrast between feelings and expressions of contentment and jealousy in various scenarios.

JealousyContentment
“She was jealous of her friend’s promotion.”“She was content with her own career path.”
“He felt jealous when his girlfriend spoke to another man.”“He felt content knowing his girlfriend loved him.”
“The child was jealous of the attention his younger sibling received.”“The child was content playing independently.”
“She was jealous of her neighbor’s beautiful garden.”“She was content with the simple beauty of her own backyard.”
“He felt jealous of his friend’s wealth.”“He was content with his modest but comfortable lifestyle.”
“She was jealous of her sister’s close relationship with their mother.”“She was content with the unique bond she shared with her mother.”
“He felt jealous when his colleague received praise for his work.”“He was content knowing he had done his best work.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s popularity.”“She was content with her small circle of close friends.”
“He felt jealous when his partner spent time with their friends.”“He was content knowing his partner needed social time.”
“She was jealous of her rival’s success in the competition.”“She was content with her own performance in the competition.”
“He was jealous that his brother got a new car.”“He was content with his reliable, older car.”
“She was jealous of her coworker’s effortless style.”“She was content with her own sense of personal style.”
“He felt jealous of his neighbor’s perfectly manicured lawn.”“He was content with his natural, low-maintenance yard.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s exotic vacation.”“She was content with her relaxing staycation.”
“He felt jealous of his colleague’s public speaking skills.”“He was content focusing on his written communication skills.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s large social media following.”“She was content with her genuine, smaller online community.”
“He was jealous of his brother’s musical talent.”“He was content with his own artistic abilities.”
“She was jealous of her sister’s athletic prowess.”“She was content focusing on her own physical fitness goals.”
“He felt jealous of his friend’s easygoing personality.”“He was content with his own thoughtful and introspective nature.”
“She was jealous of her neighbor’s quiet and peaceful life.”“She was content with her own vibrant and busy lifestyle.”
“He was jealous of his brother’s adventurous spirit.”“He was content with his comfortable and predictable routine.”
“She was jealous of her coworker’s natural leadership abilities.”“She was content contributing as a valuable team player.”
“He felt jealous of his friend’s strong and supportive family.”“He was content with the close-knit friends who were his family.”

Table 2: Generosity vs. Jealousy

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This table highlights the difference between acting generously and feeling jealous in interpersonal relationships and professional settings.

JealousyGenerosity
“He was jealous of his colleague’s success and refused to share his resources.”“He was generous with his knowledge and happily mentored his colleagues.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s popularity and kept her secrets to herself.”“She was generous with her time and helped her friend plan a party.”
“He felt jealous when his partner received compliments and hoarded their attention.”“He was generous with his praise and encouraged his partner’s achievements.”
“She was jealous of her sibling’s talents and refused to offer encouragement.”“She was generous with her support and cheered her sibling on.”
“He was jealous of his neighbor’s possessions and never offered to help them.”“He was generous with his tools and helped his neighbor with their yard work.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s beauty and refused to give her compliments.”“She was generous with her kindness and always offered sincere compliments.”
“He was jealous of his rival’s skills and refused to collaborate with them.”“He was generous with his expertise and willingly collaborated with his rival.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s happiness and tried to undermine their joy.”“She was generous with her joy and celebrated her friend’s happiness.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s independence and tried to control their life.”“He was generous with his freedom and supported his partner’s individuality.”
“She was jealous of her sibling’s success and refused to acknowledge their accomplishments.”“She was generous with her recognition and celebrated her sibling’s achievements.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s ideas and stole them for himself.”“He was generous in giving credit where it was due and acknowledged his colleague’s contributions.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s good fortune and resented their luck.”“She was generous in spirit and celebrated her friend’s good fortune.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s friendships and tried to isolate them.”“He was generous in allowing his partner to maintain their friendships.”
“She was jealous of her sibling’s popularity and spread rumors about them.”“She was generous in her words and spoke highly of her sibling.”
“He was jealous of his neighbor’s garden and sabotaged it.”“He was generous with his knowledge and offered gardening tips.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s talent and criticized their work.”“She was generous in her feedback and offered constructive criticism.”
“He was jealous of his rival’s success and refused to acknowledge their achievements.”“He was generous in acknowledging his rival’s achievements.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s happiness and tried to dampen their spirits.”“She was generous in sharing her joy and celebrating her friend’s happiness.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s independence and tried to limit their freedom.”“He was generous in supporting his partner’s independence and goals.”
“She was jealous of her sibling’s accomplishments and minimized their efforts.”“She was generous in recognizing her sibling’s hard work and dedication.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s recognition and took credit for their ideas.”“He was generous in giving credit to his colleague and acknowledged their contributions.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s good luck and wished them ill fortune.”“She was generous in wishing her friend well and celebrating their success.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s social life and tried to control their activities.”“He was generous in respecting his partner’s social life and supporting their friendships.”

Table 3: Trust vs. Jealousy

This table compares situations where trust prevails over jealousy, highlighting the positive impact of trust in relationships and other contexts.

JealousyTrust
“She constantly checked her partner’s phone, consumed by jealousy.”“She trusted her partner completely and respected their privacy.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s relationships and questioned their motives.”“He trusted his friend’s judgment and supported their choices.”
“She felt jealous whenever her partner spoke to someone else, assuming infidelity.”“She trusted her partner’s loyalty and felt secure in their relationship.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s success and doubted their integrity.”“He trusted his colleague’s abilities and respected their achievements.”
“She felt jealous whenever her partner went out with friends, suspecting ulterior motives.”“She trusted her partner’s intentions and felt comfortable with their social life.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s popularity and questioned their sincerity.”“He trusted his friend’s genuine nature and appreciated their friendship.”
“She felt jealous whenever her partner received attention, fearing abandonment.”“She trusted her partner’s love and felt secure in their commitment.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s promotion and accused them of favoritism.”“He trusted his colleague’s hard work and recognized their merit.”
“She felt jealous whenever her partner had private conversations, assuming secrets.”“She trusted her partner’s honesty and respected their need for privacy.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s good fortune and suspected dishonesty.”“He trusted his friend’s integrity and celebrated their success.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s past relationships and constantly brought them up.”“She trusted her partner’s commitment to their current relationship and focused on the present.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s expertise and doubted their qualifications.”“He trusted his colleague’s knowledge and valued their contributions.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s independence and tried to control their decisions.”“She trusted her partner’s judgment and supported their autonomy.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s social connections and questioned their loyalty.”“He trusted his friend’s character and valued their companionship.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s close friendships and felt threatened by them.”“She trusted her partner’s boundaries and respected their friendships.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s recognition and resented their praise.”“He trusted the fairness of the system and acknowledged his colleague’s achievements.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s ambitions and feared being left behind.”“She trusted her partner’s support and believed in their shared future.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s material possessions and envied their wealth.”“He trusted his friend’s values and appreciated their generosity.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s intellectual abilities and felt insecure.”“She trusted her partner’s respect and admired their intelligence.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s creative talents and dismissed their ideas.”“He trusted his colleague’s vision and valued their creativity.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s physical appearance and constantly compared herself.”“She trusted her partner’s affection and appreciated their love.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s social skills and felt awkward in their presence.”“He trusted his friend’s acceptance and enjoyed their company.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s professional success and undermined their efforts.”“She trusted her partner’s capabilities and supported their career goals.”

Table 4: Security vs. Jealousy

This table illustrates how feelings of security counteract jealousy in personal and professional life.

JealousySecurity
“He was jealous of his partner’s interactions with others, feeling insecure in their relationship.”“He felt secure in his relationship, trusting his partner’s commitment.”
“She was jealous of her colleague’s achievements, feeling inadequate in her own career.”“She felt secure in her abilities, confident in her own career path.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s possessions, feeling a lack in his own life.”“He felt secure with what he had, appreciating the simple things in life.”
“She was jealous of her sibling’s popularity, feeling left out and unloved.”“She felt secure in her family’s love, knowing she was valued.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s independence, fearing they would leave him.”“He felt secure in their bond, trusting their mutual respect and understanding.”
“She was jealous of her colleague’s recognition, fearing she would be overlooked.”“She felt secure in her contributions, knowing her work was valued.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s social life, feeling lonely and isolated.”“He felt secure in his friendships, cherishing the connections he had.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s talents, feeling inferior and unaccomplished.”“She felt secure in her own skills, appreciating her unique strengths.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s opportunities, feeling stuck in his current position.”“He felt secure in his career, confident that opportunities would arise.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s good fortune, feeling unlucky and resentful.”“She felt secure in her own path, trusting that good things would come.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s attractiveness, feeling insecure about his own appearance.”“He felt secure in his own skin, appreciating his unique qualities.”
“She was jealous of her colleague’s charisma, feeling awkward and introverted.”“She felt secure in her personality, valuing her authentic self.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s intelligence, feeling inadequate and uninformed.”“He felt secure in his knowledge, appreciating his continuous learning.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s success, feeling like a failure.”“She felt secure in her own accomplishments, celebrating her achievements.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s influence, feeling powerless and unheard.”“He felt secure in his voice, confident in his ability to make a difference.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s lifestyle, feeling unfulfilled and trapped.”“She felt secure in her choices, creating a life that suited her values.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s attention, feeling neglected and unwanted.”“He felt secure in their love, knowing he was cherished and appreciated.”
“She was jealous of her colleague’s praise, feeling undervalued and ignored.”“She felt secure in her work ethic, confident that her efforts would be recognized.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s happiness, feeling miserable and alone.”“He felt secure in his own joy, finding contentment within himself.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s freedom, feeling confined and restricted.”“She felt secure in their relationship, understanding the importance of individual space.”

Table 5: Apathy vs. Jealousy

This table highlights the stark contrast between feeling jealous and feeling apathetic, the absence of interest or concern.

JealousyApathy
“He was intensely jealous of his neighbor’s new car.”“He was apathetic about cars and didn’t care about his neighbor’s purchase.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s engagement, feeling envious and resentful.”“She was apathetic about marriage and didn’t react to her friend’s engagement.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s promotion and plotted revenge.”“He was apathetic about promotions and didn’t care who got ahead.”
“She was jealous of her sister’s popularity and spread rumors.”“She was apathetic about social status and didn’t concern herself with popularity.”
“He was jealous of his partner’s attention to others and felt possessive.”“He was apathetic about relationships and didn’t feel possessive or concerned.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s success and tried to undermine her.”“She was apathetic about success and didn’t bother competing.”
“He was jealous of his neighbor’s garden and felt envious of its beauty.”“He was apathetic about gardening and didn’t notice the neighbor’s flowers.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s travels and wished she could go too.”“She was apathetic about travel and preferred to stay home.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s recognition and felt overlooked.”“He was apathetic about recognition and didn’t seek praise.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s freedom and felt trapped.”“She was apathetic about commitment and valued her independence.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s wealth and resented their fortune.”“He was apathetic about money and focused on other values.”
“She was jealous of her sister’s talents and felt inadequate.”“She was apathetic about talents and didn’t compare herself to others.”
“He was jealous of his neighbor’s peaceful life and envied their tranquility.”“He was apathetic about peace and preferred excitement and chaos.”
“She was jealous of her friend’s happiness and felt bitter.”“She was apathetic about happiness and didn’t strive for it.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s influence and felt powerless.”“He was apathetic about influence and didn’t seek power.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s attractiveness and felt insecure.”“She was apathetic about appearance and didn’t worry about her looks.”
“He was jealous of his friend’s popularity and felt isolated.”“He was apathetic about popularity and preferred solitude.”
“She was jealous of her partner’s attention from others and felt threatened.”“She was apathetic about attention and didn’t care who looked at her partner.”
“He was jealous of his colleague’s ideas and felt uninspired.”“He was apathetic about innovation and didn’t care about new ideas.”
“She was jealous of her sister’s success and felt like a failure.”“She was apathetic about success and didn’t measure herself against others.”

Usage Rules

While the antonyms for “jealous” represent positive or neutral emotions, it’s important to use them appropriately in context. Here are some guidelines:

  • Contentment: Use “content” when someone is happy with their current situation and lacks desire for more. For example, “She was content with her simple life.”
  • Generosity: Use “generous” when someone is willing to share their possessions, time, or attention with others. For example, “He was generous with his time and helped his neighbor move.”
  • Trust: Use “trusting” or “trustful” when someone has faith in the reliability or honesty of another person. For example, “She was trusting of her partner’s loyalty.”
  • Security: Use “secure” when someone feels confident and stable in their life or relationships. For example, “He felt secure in his job and his future.”
  • Apathetic: Use “apathetic” when someone lacks interest or concern. Be cautious, as this word can have negative connotations. For example, “He was apathetic about the outcome of the election.”

It’s also crucial to consider the specific type of jealousy you’re addressing. For example, if someone is romantically jealous, emphasizing trust and security would be more appropriate than simply stating they are “content.”

Common Mistakes

Learners often make the following mistakes when using antonyms for “jealous”:

  • Using “envy” interchangeably with “jealousy.” Remember, jealousy involves a fear of losing something you already have, while envy is a desire for something someone else possesses.
  • Using “apathetic” in a positive context. Apathy generally implies a lack of care or motivation, which is not always desirable.
  • Overusing “content.” While contentment is a positive emotion, it can sound passive or unmotivated if used too frequently.
  • Misunderstanding the nuances of “trust.” Trust is not blind faith; it’s based on evidence and experience.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Table 6: Common Mistakes and Corrections

IncorrectCorrect
“She was content of her friend’s new car.”“She was envious of her friend’s new car.”
“He was apathetic about his partner’s success, which was a good thing.”“He was genuinely happy about his partner’s success.”
“She was content and never strived for anything more.”“She was content with her achievements but still had goals for the future.”
“He trusted his partner blindly, even when they lied to him.”“He had faith in his partner’s honesty, based on their past behavior.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of the antonyms for “jealous” with these exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best antonym for “jealous” to complete each sentence.

QuestionAnswer
1. Instead of feeling ______ of her sister’s success, she was genuinely happy for her.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (generous)
2. He felt ______ in his relationship, knowing his partner loved him deeply.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (secure)
3. She was ______ with her simple life and didn’t crave material possessions.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (content)
4. He was ______ of his partner’s intentions and never questioned their loyalty.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (trusting)
5. She was completely ______ about the competition and didn’t even bother to enter.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (apathetic)
6. Because he was ______ with his own abilities, he didn’t feel threatened by others’ talents.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (secure)
7. She was ______ in spirit and always willing to share her resources with those in need.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (generous)
8. Having worked hard to build a ______ relationship with her partner, she no longer felt jealous.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (trusting)
9. Rather than feeling ______ of her friend’s new job, she congratulated her warmly.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (jealous)
10. He remained completely ______ about the drama unfolding around him.content/generous/trusting/secure/apathetic (apathetic)

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite each sentence using an antonym for “jealous” to express the opposite meaning.

Original SentenceRewritten Sentence
1. She was jealous of her friend’s popularity.She was content with her own close circle of friends.
2. He felt jealous when his partner received compliments.He felt secure in his relationship and happy for his partner.
3. She was jealous of her colleague’s promotion.She was generous in congratulating her colleague on their promotion.
4. He was jealous of his neighbor’s new car.He was apathetic about cars and didn’t care about his neighbor’s purchase.
5. She was jealous of her sister’s travels.She trusted that her sister would have a safe trip and looked forward to hearing about it.

Advanced Topics

For a deeper understanding of jealousy and its antonyms, consider these advanced topics:

  • The psychology of jealousy: Explore the underlying psychological factors that contribute to jealousy, such as low self-esteem, insecurity, and attachment styles.
  • Cultural variations in jealousy: Investigate how cultural norms and values influence the expression and experience of jealousy.
  • The role of communication in managing jealousy: Learn effective communication strategies for addressing jealousy in relationships and preventing it from escalating.
  • The relationship between jealousy and mental health: Understand the potential links between chronic jealousy and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Philosophical perspectives on jealousy: Examine how philosophers have viewed jealousy throughout history, considering its moral and ethical implications.

FAQ

What is the difference between jealousy and envy?

Jealousy involves a fear of losing something you already have, while envy is a desire for something someone else possesses. For example, you might be jealous that your partner is spending time with someone else (fear of loss), but envious of your friend’s new car (desire for something you don’t have).

Can jealousy ever be a positive emotion?

Mild jealousy can sometimes serve as a signal that you value a relationship or possession. However, excessive or irrational jealousy is almost always negative and can be harmful.

How can I overcome feelings of jealousy?

Strategies for overcoming jealousy include building self-esteem, practicing gratitude, improving communication skills, and seeking professional help if needed.

Is it normal to feel jealous sometimes?

Yes, experiencing jealousy occasionally is a normal human emotion. However, it’s important to manage these feelings constructively and prevent them from becoming destructive.

What are some signs of unhealthy jealousy?

Signs of unhealthy jealousy include constantly checking your partner’s phone, accusing them of infidelity without evidence, isolating them from friends and family, and experiencing intense anxiety or anger related to perceived threats.

Conclusion

Understanding the antonyms for “jealous” provides valuable insight into the spectrum of human emotions. By embracing contentment, generosity, trust, security, and even recognizing the absence of feeling through apathy, we can cultivate healthier relationships, improve our emotional well-being, and communicate more effectively.

Recognizing the nuances of these antonyms allows for more precise language use and a deeper understanding of oneself and others. As you continue to explore the English language, remember that mastering the subtleties of vocabulary, including antonyms, enriches your ability to express yourself and connect with the world around you.

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