Stronger Negative Connotations:
* Envious: Emphasizes the desire for what someone else has.
* Covetous: Suggests a strong, almost greedy desire for something.
* Resentful: Focuses on anger and bitterness towards the person who has what you want.
* Spiteful: Implies a malicious intent to harm or cause trouble for the person you envy.
Milder or More Neutral:
* Insecure: Highlights the underlying feelings of inadequacy or fear of loss.
* Possessive: Emphasizes the desire to control or own something or someone.
* Competitive: Focuses on the desire to surpass or outdo someone else.
* Protective: Suggests a desire to safeguard something or someone you care about.
More Specific Words:
* Green-eyed: A more playful and figurative term for jealousy.
* Bitter: Used to describe a feeling of resentment and disappointment.
* Wistful: Implies a yearning for something that is unattainable.
* Longing: Focuses on a strong desire for something or someone.
Examples:
* "She was jealous of her sister's new car." (Could be replaced with "envious," "resentful," or "insecure.")
* "He felt a jealous pang when he saw his ex with someone else." (Could be replaced with "wistful," "longing," or "bitter.")
* "Her jealous nature made her constantly suspicious of her husband." (Could be replaced with "possessive," "competitive," or "insecure.")
Remember to choose the word that best fits the specific situation and the emotions you want to express.