spite 1 of 2

spite

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spite are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

In what contexts can grudge take the place of spite?

While in some cases nearly identical to spite, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is ill will a more appropriate choice than spite?

The synonyms ill will and spite are sometimes interchangeable, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When would malevolence be a good substitute for spite?

Although the words malevolence and spite have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than spite?

In some situations, the words malice and spite are roughly equivalent. However, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When could malignity be used to replace spite?

The words malignity and spite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Where would spleen be a reasonable alternative to spite?

The meanings of spleen and spite largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spite
Noun
And that kept him alive for 53 years, in spite of a horrendous diet. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025 In spite of its spending cuts, Reynolds said UI’s actual ROE has plummeted since the decision, falling in the company’s last quarterly filing with PURA to 3.55 percent and hurting its ability to attract investors. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Understand the consequences of what this means because for America to not accept immigrants is the definition of cutting off your nose to spite your face. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 Jackson had run partially to spite Crawford and Clay, who opposed his rogue invasion of Spanish Florida in 1818, and siphoned their support in the South and West. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
Noun
  • Jose Ibarra was convicted Nov. 20, 2024 of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and assault with intent to rape, among other charges, in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court.
    Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Worse than his malice is his neediness, which seems to break through that fourth wall to put its sticky fingers around our throats.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Waltz now has a bunch of top officials, and their teams, who are annoyed at him for drawing bad publicity.
    Marc Caputo, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
  • However, standing in the middle of a road to capture the Eiffel Tower in the background is not only unsafe but can also annoy locals.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Its identity can help ensure correct venom is prescribed.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • They are known as some of the most dangerous animals in the sea due to their extremely powerful venom, and several people in Australia have died after being bitten by one, according to the Australian Museum.
    Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • What’s been really interesting to me about the Blake situation is how much of the hatred against her is coming from women.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Parents today must understand that hatred, bigotry and violence aren’t just things that children can learn directly from their upbringing.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • First, coffee is significantly more acidic than matcha, which can irritate some people's stomachs or cause heartburn.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
  • She’s disillusioned with her boyfriend and irritated by her mother.
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday morning, David Reid, 28, of Winsted turned himself in at police headquarters and was arrested on an outstanding warrant charging him with one count of cruelty to animals.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Kelly Walker, 29, is charged with child abuse, cruelty to animals and the killing and torture of an animal.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ferrell bugs his eyes out and sighs a series of increasingly desperate spit-takes, but this project was probably doomed from the get-go.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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