spite
1spite
noun \ˈspīt\Definition of SPITE
1
: petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart
2
: an instance of spite
— in spite of
: in defiance or contempt of : without being prevented by <succeeded in spite of their opposition>
Examples of SPITE
- He is jealous and full of spite.
- <spread cruel lies out of pure spite>
Origin of SPITE
Middle English, short for despite
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SPITE
- Synonyms
- cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, malice, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
See Synonym Discussion at malice
2spite
transitive verbspit·edspit·ing
Definition of SPITE
2
: to treat maliciously (as by shaming or thwarting)
Examples of SPITE
- He only did it to spite me.
- <sometimes, I swear, she keeps doing that just to spite me>
First Known Use of SPITE
circa 1555
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