petty jealousy

USAGE SUMMARY

"petty jealousy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe jealousy that is trivial or insignificant, often in a negative context. Example: Her petty jealousy over her friend's success was evident in her comments. Alternative expressions include "trivial envy" and "minor jealousy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mr. Dwight said his concerns were dismissed as petty jealousy.

The New York Times

That level of steady achievement can create "some level of petty jealousy".

The Guardian

There was no petty jealousy with him, which was unusual for someone working in television.

The Guardian

"As a small newsroom, I think a lot of it is petty jealousy, just individual personality conflicts," Mr. Chancellor said.

The New York Times

Neither could he resist drawing a portrait of the military that showed the officers awash with petty jealousy and boastfulness.

The Guardian - Books

Some of the returnees have found themselves victims of discrimination and petty jealousy from those who stayed behind.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"There's so much petty jealousies," Pitino said.

The New York Times - Sports

Out here petty jealousies, rivalries and divisions have arisen.

The New York Times

The staff was rife with infighting and petty jealousies.

The New York Times

Sports is theater, filled with colorful characters, heroes and villains, rivalries and petty jealousies.

The New York Times - Sports

Their petty jealousies and veiled insults, peppered with offhand prejudice, escalate to a fine, pointed pitch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interpersonal conflicts or workplace dynamics, use "petty jealousy" to accurately portray insignificant or small-minded feelings of envy or resentment. It adds nuance beyond simply stating 'jealousy'.

Common error

Avoid using "petty jealousy" when you actually mean petty envy. Jealousy is the fear of losing something you have, while envy is the desire for something someone else possesses. Ensure you're accurately describing the emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "petty jealousy" functions as a noun phrase where 'petty' modifies 'jealousy', indicating the type or degree of jealousy. It commonly describes a feeling of envy or resentment that is considered trivial or insignificant, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "petty jealousy" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe trivial or insignificant feelings of jealousy. According to Ludwig, this phrase is primarily found in News & Media, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When using "petty jealousy", ensure you're accurately conveying the intended meaning, distinguishing it from similar terms like "petty envy". It's a useful phrase for describing interpersonal dynamics and minor conflicts, but should be used judiciously to avoid trivializing genuine emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

petty envy

While 'jealousy' refers to fear of losing something one has, 'envy' refers to wanting what someone else has. This subtly shifts the focus.

minor jealousy

Similar to 'little jealousy', this emphasizes the insignificance of the jealousy.

little jealousy

This phrase emphasizes the small degree or amount of jealousy involved.

slight jealousy

This option highlights the subtle and barely noticeable nature of the jealousy.

trivial jealousy

This alternative stresses that the jealousy is unimportant or not worth considering.

unimportant jealousy

Highlights the lack of significance or relevance of the jealous feelings.

simple jealousy

This alternative suggests a less complex form of jealousy, implying a lack of depth or ulterior motives.

insignificant jealousy

This phrase underscores the lack of importance or consequence of the jealousy.

small-minded jealousy

This implies that the jealousy stems from a narrow or limited perspective.

childish jealousy

This alternative suggests that the jealousy is immature or unsophisticated.

FAQs

How can I use "petty jealousy" in a sentence?

You can use "petty jealousy" to describe situations where someone feels insignificant resentment or envy towards another person's achievements or possessions. For example, "The office was rife with "petty jealousy" after Sarah received a promotion."

What's a good alternative to the phrase "petty jealousy"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "minor jealousy", "trivial jealousy", or "small-minded jealousy" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is "petty jealousy" the same as "petty envy"?

While closely related, jealousy and envy are distinct emotions. Jealousy involves fear of losing something you have, whereas envy involves wanting something someone else has. "Petty envy" would specifically refer to wanting something minor that someone else possesses.

When is it appropriate to use the term "petty jealousy"?

Use "petty jealousy" when the jealousy is not based on significant concerns or threats but rather on trivial matters or perceived slights. It's appropriate when the jealousy seems disproportionate to the situation.