spiteful

adjective

spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
: filled with or showing spite : malicious
spitefully adverb
spitefulness noun

Examples of spiteful in a Sentence

the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Share [Findings] Unaffiliated voters are growing more spiteful toward both Democrats and Republicans. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025 Iannucci may spin stories of spiteful people, but Iannucci the person is different. John Baldoni, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 This sequel was similar in its angry, bleak tone but amped up with little of the polish that some in Washington had hoped would signal Trump’s second term might be less spiteful than the first go-around. Philip Elliott, TIME, 20 Jan. 2025 The end of the JCPOA made a spiteful Iran even more aggressive. Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for spiteful 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiteful was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near spiteful

Cite this Entry

“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiteful. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

spiteful

adjective
spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
: filled with or showing spite : malicious
spitefully adverb
spitefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spiteful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!