spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīt How to pronounce spite (audio)
Definition of spitenext
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm spread cruel lies out of pure spite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spite

2 of 2

verb

as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts sometimes, I swear, she keeps doing that just to spite me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
But in spite of the failures and shortcomings, these principles still stand as ideas that Americans can strive to realize. —Time, 10 July 2025 In spite of voicing his media status, law enforcement is shown detaining him. —Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Verb
Critics said their blocking Shaw-Wilder’s nomination was to spite President Joe Biden. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025 Booth believed Malone was holding back Pickett and using Nnaji out of position to spite Booth, league sources said. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
  1. malice
  2. annoy
  3. venom
  4. bother
  5. hatred
  6. irritate
  7. cruelty
  8. bug
Noun
  • Beneath the inevitable finger-pointing and politicizing, there is often a genuine, even desperate, human impulse to find fault not out of malice, but out of mourning and a desire to find solutions.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • To hunt a predator feels like an act of malice, of dominance, of ego.
    — Helen Whybrow July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Definition of malice
Verb
  • Perhaps Trump just wanted to annoy his counterparts, especially those on the continent.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • But Cotton, annoyed by Hank’s indirectness and emotion, browbeats his son.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Definition of annoy
Noun
  • Woman screams as snake attacks—dog jumps in and takes the venom for her The video highlighted the canine parents, with viewers instantly falling in love with the unique puppies.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
  • Do not attempt to suck out venom: This is not effective and can cause further damage to the wound.
    — Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Definition of venom
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    — Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • Chisholm, the Yankees’ hottest hitter over the last month or so, has said that the shoulder bothers him more in the field than at the plate.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Definition of bother
Noun
  • There’s a great tradition in sports of being driven by a fear, or a hatred, of that feeling.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • She’s been feeling so much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness, so much disappointment these last few episodes.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 July 2025
Definition of hatred
Verb
  • Things escalated further as fans began requesting photos and videos, reportedly irritating the R&B star.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 July 2025
  • According to Valliere, people and pets should avoid coming in contact with several invasive plants in California, including: Certain grasses, which produce long awns and seeds that can irritate skin, get stuck in pets’ fur, and cause discomfort for both animals and humans.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • The new law adds to existing municipal ordinances that forbid animal cruelty or neglect, including leaving a pet in too small of a space or outside in the hot Florida sun.
    — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
  • Miller faces four counts of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity.
    — Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Definition of cruelty
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of bug

Phrases Containing spite

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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