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spiteful

adjective

spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
Synonyms of spiteful
: filled with or showing spite : malicious
spitefully
ˈspīt-fə-lē How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
adverb
spitefulness noun

Synonyms of spiteful

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Examples of spiteful in a Sentence

the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Trump won his spiteful cases against asylum seekers and Haitian and Syrian immigrants. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 Everyone has an acid tongue and brims with spiteful resentment. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiteful

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiteful was in the 15th century

Rhymes for spiteful

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Browse Nearby Words

spite fence
spiteful
spiteless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiteful. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spiteful

adjective
spite·​ful ˈspīt-fəl How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
: filled with or showing spite : malicious
spitefully
-fə-lē How to pronounce spiteful (audio)
adverb
spitefulness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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