10 Signs He’s Trying to Make You Jealous

There are several reasons why a guy might try to make you jealous. Maybe he’s feeling insecure or just wants a little more attention. 

Whatever the reason, his actions can be confusing and even frustrating. It can leave you wondering what’s going on and how to handle it.

Sometimes, he might want to see how much you care about him. Other times, he could be testing your reaction to see if you’ll chase after him. 

These signs aren’t always easy to spot, but once you know what to look for, it gets a lot clearer.

You don’t need to stress out if you notice these behaviors. Understanding the signs can help you see through the games and decide how you want to handle the situation. 

Let’s dive into some of the common things guys do to try and make you jealous.

1. He Talks About Other Girls Constantly

Ever notice him slipping other girls into conversation all the time? 

Whether he’s talking about a coworker, an old friend, or even a stranger, bringing up other women could be his way of getting under your skin. 

It doesn’t even matter if there’s nothing going on. He just wants to see how you’ll react. It’s his attempt to stir up a little bit of jealousy and gauge how much attention you’re giving him.

The more he casually mentions these women, the more it feels like he’s seeking a reaction. He’s not doing it because he’s genuinely interested in them. Instead, it’s more about how you respond. 

He’s testing the waters, wanting to know if it bugs you or if you’ll brush it off. It’s almost like he’s challenging your feelings.

There’s no need to overthink it, though. Sometimes, this behavior comes from insecurity or wanting reassurance. 

He could be looking for validation that you care, so he tries to push your buttons to see if you’ll show signs of jealousy.

2. He Suddenly Becomes Distant

Another clue? He’s gone from super available to suddenly acting aloof. 

Maybe he’s stopped texting back right away or seems less interested in spending time together. 

That shift in behavior? It’s designed to catch your attention. By pulling away, he’s trying to make you miss him, hoping you’ll start to feel anxious about what’s going on in his life.

Acting distant is his way of making you wonder, “What’s changed?” He wants you to feel a little left out, maybe even jealous that he’s doing other things without you. 

It’s like he’s creating a bit of mystery around himself, leaving you to wonder if someone else has caught his attention.

Don’t let it get to you. Sometimes, this distancing act is just a tactic to see how you’ll react. 

He’s likely watching to see if you’ll chase after him, which gives him that little ego boost he’s seeking. But don’t fall for it. Stay cool and don’t let his disappearing act make you doubt yourself.

3. He Flaunts His Social Life

Has he started posting more on social media, showing off how much fun he’s having? It could be a sign he’s trying to make you jealous. 

Suddenly, he’s tagging himself at cool places, surrounded by friends (and maybe some attractive girls), just to show you what you’re missing out on. He’s not being subtle about it either; it’s all in your face.

This type of behavior usually isn’t about him genuinely enjoying his time—it’s more about making sure you see it. 

He’s trying to create a picture where you feel left out or like you’re not the center of his attention anymore. 

Those fun nights out, the random hangouts—it’s all part of the plan to spark a little jealousy.

But remember, social media can paint a fake reality. Just because he’s posting about fun times doesn’t mean that’s the full story. 

Often, the more someone tries to flaunt their social life, the more they’re just seeking validation, especially from you.

4. He Compliments Other Women Around You

Nothing stings quite like hearing him compliment someone else while you’re right there. 

He might casually mention how pretty someone is or how much he admires another girl’s sense of style. 

While he’s trying to play it cool, it’s clear he’s doing this to see how you’ll react. It’s a not-so-subtle way to make you question if you’re still his priority.

Complimenting others in front of you is his attempt to make you feel a little insecure, maybe even competitive. 

He wants to see if you’ll step up your game or show signs that you’re bothered by his admiration of someone else. It’s not necessarily about the other person at all—it’s all about how you respond to it.

Don’t take the bait. He’s likely doing it to provoke a reaction, and the best way to handle it is to remain confident. 

There’s no need to feel threatened by his comments. Just remind yourself that these little games are more about him trying to get a rise out of you than anything else.

5. He Tries to Make You Compete for His Attention

Ever felt like you’re fighting for his attention? He might go out of his way to talk to other people or spend time with them, especially when you’re around. 

Instead of focusing on you, he’s busy engaging with others, making sure you notice. The goal here is to make you feel like you need to work harder to win him back.

This can be frustrating, especially if he’s deliberately ignoring you. But that’s exactly what he wants. 

He’s hoping that by making himself seem unavailable, you’ll step up your game. 

Don’t play into it. Just stay calm and remember that you don’t need to compete for anyone’s attention.

6. He Brags About Other Women Showing Interest

Suddenly, he’s telling you about how someone flirted with him or how another girl gave him a compliment. 

It might seem random, but there’s usually a purpose behind it. He wants to plant the idea that other women find him attractive. 

Hearing about others being interested in him could be his way of seeing how jealous you get.

These little stories about other women might seem innocent, but the more he talks about it, the clearer it becomes. 

He’s trying to stir up some feelings of insecurity. But stay confident. Don’t let his stories shake you—he’s probably just trying to see how much you care.

7. He Gets Close to Other Women in Front of You

Being extra touchy or overly friendly with other women, especially when you’re right there, is a big sign. 

He might stand too close, laugh a little too loud, or make an obvious effort to engage with someone else. It’s all part of an attempt to get you to notice and feel a little jealous.

Instead of letting it bother you, try to keep your cool. His goal is to make you uncomfortable and get a reaction out of you. 

Staying confident and not reacting will show him that his little games aren’t working.

8. He Talks About Being Uncertain About Your Relationship

Suddenly, he’s bringing up doubts about your relationship. Maybe he says something like, “I’m not sure where this is going,” or hints at not feeling as close anymore. 

By making you question where you stand, he’s hoping to make you feel insecure or jealous that you could be losing him.

It’s a way to shake things up emotionally, making you feel unsure. He might think that by making you worried, you’ll work harder to keep him. 

But instead of reacting out of fear, take a moment to evaluate the situation calmly. He could just be trying to get a rise out of you, and you don’t need to let that control your feelings.

9. He Talks About His Ex More Than Usual

A lot of talk about his ex? That’s not a coincidence. 

Dropping her name or mentioning things they did together might be his way of making you think about who came before you. 

He’s not necessarily still hung up on her, but he could be trying to stir up some feelings by reminding you that someone else had his attention before.

Bringing up the ex might feel like a direct challenge to your relationship. He’s hoping you’ll react and show him that you care more than she ever did. 

But don’t let it shake you. Stay calm and remind yourself that comparisons don’t help anyone.

10. He Flirts in Front of You

Watching him openly flirt with other women while you’re right there? Not cool. He knows exactly what he’s doing and hopes it’ll spark some jealousy. 

Whether it’s a playful comment or extra attention given to someone else, he’s trying to see if you’ll get annoyed or try harder to win him back.

The goal is to make you feel uncomfortable enough to react. He’s seeking validation by seeing how much you’ll fight for him. 

But staying calm and not giving him the reaction he wants will show him that you’re not playing his games.