Word for “someone who doesn't want you to succeed”
I'm looking for a word for someone who doesn't want you to succeed or threatened by your success.
Particular for fear that your success will overshadow their own. Not so much for malicious reasons, but more from insecurity.
single-word-requests nouns pejorative-language
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
add a comment |
I'm looking for a word for someone who doesn't want you to succeed or threatened by your success.
Particular for fear that your success will overshadow their own. Not so much for malicious reasons, but more from insecurity.
single-word-requests nouns pejorative-language
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48
add a comment |
I'm looking for a word for someone who doesn't want you to succeed or threatened by your success.
Particular for fear that your success will overshadow their own. Not so much for malicious reasons, but more from insecurity.
single-word-requests nouns pejorative-language
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
I'm looking for a word for someone who doesn't want you to succeed or threatened by your success.
Particular for fear that your success will overshadow their own. Not so much for malicious reasons, but more from insecurity.
single-word-requests nouns pejorative-language
single-word-requests nouns pejorative-language
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
edited Jun 13 '14 at 1:39
tchrist♦
109k30293468
109k30293468
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
asked Dec 5 '13 at 20:37
Jason McCrearyJason McCreary
148128
148128
My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48
add a comment |
My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48
My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Someone suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term primarily used in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Anglosphere nations to describe a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.
eg.
Sue was suffering from tall poppy syndrome. After her cousin Kathy
landed a high paying modeling job in New York, she complained loudly
at the family gathering about how 'Kathy thinks she's so much better
than us now that she's working in New York. Pity it's not going to
make her an any nicer person'.
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
add a comment |
How about Rival? Adversary? Frenemy? Hater?
Shadenfriend?
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
add a comment |
The obvious, to me, candidate is nemesis, from the Online Merriam Webster:
a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
add a comment |
I think opposition would work well.
Defined: a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival political party or athletic team.
If someone is your opposition, they would likely want you to fail, so that your success doesn't out shadow theirs.
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
add a comment |
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4 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
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active
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active
oldest
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Someone suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term primarily used in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Anglosphere nations to describe a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.
eg.
Sue was suffering from tall poppy syndrome. After her cousin Kathy
landed a high paying modeling job in New York, she complained loudly
at the family gathering about how 'Kathy thinks she's so much better
than us now that she's working in New York. Pity it's not going to
make her an any nicer person'.
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
add a comment |
Someone suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term primarily used in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Anglosphere nations to describe a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.
eg.
Sue was suffering from tall poppy syndrome. After her cousin Kathy
landed a high paying modeling job in New York, she complained loudly
at the family gathering about how 'Kathy thinks she's so much better
than us now that she's working in New York. Pity it's not going to
make her an any nicer person'.
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
add a comment |
Someone suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term primarily used in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Anglosphere nations to describe a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.
eg.
Sue was suffering from tall poppy syndrome. After her cousin Kathy
landed a high paying modeling job in New York, she complained loudly
at the family gathering about how 'Kathy thinks she's so much better
than us now that she's working in New York. Pity it's not going to
make her an any nicer person'.
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
Someone suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) is a pejorative term primarily used in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Anglosphere nations to describe a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.
eg.
Sue was suffering from tall poppy syndrome. After her cousin Kathy
landed a high paying modeling job in New York, she complained loudly
at the family gathering about how 'Kathy thinks she's so much better
than us now that she's working in New York. Pity it's not going to
make her an any nicer person'.
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
answered Dec 5 '13 at 21:40
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,138105588
9,138105588
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
add a comment |
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
Interesting. This is the closest so far. However, not exactly it.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:42
add a comment |
How about Rival? Adversary? Frenemy? Hater?
Shadenfriend?
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
add a comment |
How about Rival? Adversary? Frenemy? Hater?
Shadenfriend?
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
add a comment |
How about Rival? Adversary? Frenemy? Hater?
Shadenfriend?
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
How about Rival? Adversary? Frenemy? Hater?
Shadenfriend?
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
edited Dec 5 '13 at 20:45
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
answered Dec 5 '13 at 20:39
Clay BridgesClay Bridges
1527
1527
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Frenemy is closest of the three. But as noted, it's not coming from dislike, more their own insecurity.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 20:41
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
Do you mean schadenfreude? Seems focused on misfortune.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 6 '13 at 15:42
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
"Shadenfriend" was intended as a whimsical portmanteau, echoing commonly known (well, here) shadenfreude. I wasn't really intending to overthink it much, but now that you ask.... Shaden is German for "harm", so the general idea is that it's somebody who is a friend to you only when things are going badly for you, not well. This deconstruction depends on one's status being binary {good, bad}, vs. a more sophisticated trinary status {good, neutral, bad}, but... close enough.
– Clay Bridges
Dec 7 '13 at 0:08
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
If you're trying to imply some kind of zero-sum environment, whether real or just perceived by this other person, I think "rival" works best.
– Scott
7 hours ago
add a comment |
The obvious, to me, candidate is nemesis, from the Online Merriam Webster:
a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
add a comment |
The obvious, to me, candidate is nemesis, from the Online Merriam Webster:
a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
add a comment |
The obvious, to me, candidate is nemesis, from the Online Merriam Webster:
a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
The obvious, to me, candidate is nemesis, from the Online Merriam Webster:
a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
answered Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
2,517916
2,517916
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
add a comment |
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
1
1
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
Seems more vengeful. How does that related to threatened by your success?
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:46
add a comment |
I think opposition would work well.
Defined: a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival political party or athletic team.
If someone is your opposition, they would likely want you to fail, so that your success doesn't out shadow theirs.
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
add a comment |
I think opposition would work well.
Defined: a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival political party or athletic team.
If someone is your opposition, they would likely want you to fail, so that your success doesn't out shadow theirs.
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
add a comment |
I think opposition would work well.
Defined: a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival political party or athletic team.
If someone is your opposition, they would likely want you to fail, so that your success doesn't out shadow theirs.
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
I think opposition would work well.
Defined: a group of adversaries or competitors, especially a rival political party or athletic team.
If someone is your opposition, they would likely want you to fail, so that your success doesn't out shadow theirs.
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
answered 6 hours ago
Kyle WilliamsonKyle Williamson
2701412
2701412
add a comment |
add a comment |
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My Point-Haired Boss? :)
– Affable Geek
Dec 5 '13 at 21:16
@Affable Geek, I don't understand.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 21:43
@JasonMcCreary: Pointy-Haired Boss (PHB for short) is a Dilbert reference.
– Pieter Geerkens
Dec 5 '13 at 22:38
Gotcha. Missed the critical y.
– Jason McCreary
Dec 5 '13 at 22:48