Synonyms of spite

spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīt 

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm

spread cruel lies out of pure spite

Synonyms & Similar Words

• malice
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty
• despite
• meanness
• hostility
• hatefulness
• spitefulness
• malignity
• contempt
• malevolence
• jealousy
• disgust
• maliciousness
• malignancy
• bitterness
• spleen
• viciousness
• hate
• nastiness
• disdain
• malignance
• resentment
• cattiness
• animosity
• antagonism
• enmity
• distaste
• rancor
• loathing
• abhorrence
• vindictiveness
• antipathy
• grudge
• jaundice
• abusiveness
• revulsion
• abomination
• repugnance
• scorn
• horror
• repulsion
• ill will
• aversion
• vengefulness
• execration
• mean-spiritedness
• bile
• invidiousness
• virulence
• pique
• despicableness
• vitriol
• bitchiness
• bitchery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• devotion
• passion
• friendliness
• hospitality
• cordiality
• amiability
• civility
• amity
• worship
• affection
• adoration
• veneration
• infatuation
• understanding
• kindness
• ardor
• sympathy
• charity
• friendship
• kindliness
• amicability
• goodwill
• empathy
• comity

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

• annoy
• bother
• irritate
• bug
• persecute
• aggravate
• anger
• get
• exasperate
• worry
• infuriate
• get to
• irk
• grate
• eat
• gripe
• put out
• frost
• vex
• wear on
• pique
• gall
• rile
• burn (up)
• chafe
• plague
• itch
• hack (off)
• insult
• ruffle
• provoke
• tease
• rasp
• nark
• peeve
• nettle
• stick in one's craw
• rub the wrong way
• get one's goat
• set one's teeth on edge
• upset
• outrage
• offend
• get on one's nerves
• enrage
• rouse
• harass
• nag
• devil
• hassle
• enflame
• distress
• discomfort
• inflame
• antagonize
• heckle
• affront
• pester
• badger
• disquiet
• exercise
• harry
• rankle
• agitate
• unsettle
• bait
• perturb
• discompose
• undo
• hagride
• ballyrag
• fret
• incense
• unhinge
• roil
• bullyrag
• madden
• freak (out)
• miff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appease
• placate
• satisfy
• conciliate
• pacify
• oblige
• please
• delight
• gratify
• mollify
• assure
• propitiate
• comfort
• cheer
• content
• reassure
• quiet
• console
• soothe
• gladden
• solace

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

Recent Examples of spite

Noun

The country’s tech sector, in spite of the export controls, seems to have developed satisfactory processors and powerful AI models. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

Women in midlife often experience a surge in creativity, emotional clarity, and problem-solving capacity—not in spite of the slower pace, but because of it. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Aug. 2025

Verb

President Donald Trump’s blocking of billions in research grants for our major universities is like cutting off his nose to spite his face. —Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025

Critics said their blocking Shaw-Wilder’s nomination was to spite President Joe Biden. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025

Phrases Containing spite

• in spite of