as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiteful
The end of the JCPOA made a spiteful Iran even more aggressive.
—
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023
Biden has the historic opportunity to spare countless Americans from the fear of retaliation by a spiteful bully.
—Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Also, Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose memorably spiteful villain is an IMAX-sized testament to the late actor’s talent.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
But legitimate criticism has often been lost in spiteful lunacy.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiteful 
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023
Biden has the historic opportunity to spare countless Americans from the fear of retaliation by a spiteful bully.
—Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Also, Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose memorably spiteful villain is an IMAX-sized testament to the late actor’s talent.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
But legitimate criticism has often been lost in spiteful lunacy.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiteful
Adjective
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Maloof is suing the city of Palm Bay, the Palm Bay Police Department and the officer on claims including malicious prosecution and false arrest.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Immigrant advocates call those moves cruel and unnecessary.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.—
Dr. Tony Lux,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By the time Hezbollah launched its bombardment of Israel in solidarity with Hamas' vicious attack on Israel, the militant Lebanese organization had managed to build a significant military capability under the nose of UNFIL and was more robust than ever before.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
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Nashville's Bad Idea is a wine bar and restaurant set in a former Presbyterian church that fell into disrepair after a vicious tornado.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However the two teens entered this online subculture, their writings reveal despair about their personal lives and the world around them and expressed violent, hateful views.—
Phoebe Petrovic,
ProPublica,
25 Jan. 2025
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Meta also updated its hateful conduct policy to roll back protections for certain groups, including women and LGBTQ+ people.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What follows is a twisted game of house where familiar familial relationships crumble and new ones take root like nasty black weeds.—
M.L. Rio,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
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Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat had the splashiest individual stat line with 2.5 sacks, but a crew of nasty defensive tackles wrought devastation versus the run and the pass.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near spiteful
Cite this Entry
“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiteful. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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