1
as in bitterness
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
the cattiness of the commentary for the televised awards was neither nice nor necessary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
there's no reason for saying such hurtful things except sheer cattiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cattiness
Further, there was some of the cattiness and conniving that played out on screen happening offscreen.
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
While Mean Girls is technically a comedy, its depiction of girl-on-girl cattiness stings incredibly true.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
While Mean Girls is technically a comedy, its depiction of girl-on-girl cattiness stings incredibly true.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cattiness
Noun
-
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This wicker man becomes a devoted partner, sparking jealousy and malice in her narrow-minded neighbors, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and societal conformity.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s malice and incompetence alienates voters, who then publicly voice their discontent, encouraging other political actors and institutions to see him not as a crusading avatar of national destiny but as a weakened figure.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Stuart said the measure reflects a sobering escalation in political hostility and violence.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In his second term, their defining emotions are hostility and happiness.—
Christine Zhang,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Anti-Israel letter writers might want to direct their venom at the brutality that’s going on in Syria at the present time.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Then their own mother turned venom against them, the object of their wounding telling them that the shape of their wounds was never really there.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And numerous studies, including new research in 2025, show covid vaccine benefits include a reduction in the severity of disease, although the protective effects wane over time.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Because of its severity and potential for outbreak, the World Health Organization lists the Nipah virus as a priority pathogen for research and preparedness.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Global leaders reflected on rising antisemitism and the need for unity to combat hatred and war, drawing parallels to defeating Nazism in 1945.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The annual global event remembers the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of other victims and the commitment to stand against hatred and intolerance.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday that Hunter Roy will serve six years behind bars after pleading guilty to cruelty to animals and endangering the welfare of a child.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
There was an implicit cruelty behind the exercise.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cattiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cattiness. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
