spiteful

adjective

spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl 

: filled with or showing spite : malicious

spitefully

ˈspīt-fə-lē 

adverb

spitefulness noun

Synonyms of spiteful

• malicious
• cruel
• vicious
• hateful
• nasty

Examples of spiteful in a Sentence

the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1932, Carlos (Milo Quifes) is a young man in Grenada at a time when Spain is lurching uncomfortably towards an ever-increasing spiteful intolerance of homosexuality. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

The anger leads them to Rupert, Rebecca’s forever-spiteful ex. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Cox’s film is biased in Bill’s favor, portraying him as a lapdog whose love for this screeching, spiteful, beady-eyed woman is his great tragic flaw. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Their movements become more spiteful than woo-woo, more sculpture than painting, more an argument than an idle thought. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spiteful

• delightful
• insightful
• frightful
• rightful

Kids Definition

spiteful

adjective

spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl 

: filled with or showing spite : malicious

spitefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

spitefulness noun