MEAN-SPIRITED Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

mean-spirited

adjective

Definition of mean-spirited

as in cruel

feeling or showing a desire to cause harm or pain a mean-spirited person He wrote a mean-spirited book review.

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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 mean-spirited While most are supportive, a fair number are critical, even mean-spirited. — Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 16 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mean-spirited

Adjective

Like her, Americans are also so tired of being screwed by an administration that’s not only grossly incompetent and cruel but corrupt as well.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Mary Petchlikoff, 69, of Dearborn, recalls mobilizing on 9/11 to help protect Muslim students who were starting to receive some hateful harassment.

— Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 12 Sep. 2026
Some critics predicted Mohammed would use a trial as a platform to spread hateful views of America and its allies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of hateful

Adjective

And then on Sunday, next to Granada’s imposing Alhambra fortress, Kuss — providing there are no nasty surprises — will complete his third Grand Tour in a row.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
In his nasty hands, every canvas was an indictment, a history painting with its gloves off.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Whether the actor is improvising or sticking closely to the script by Miles Hubley and Tommy White, Wilson’s talent and experience maintain the charm of a character who practically talks nonstop but in other hands could simply be obnoxious.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Something specific that’s not too obnoxious and out of the box.

— The Editors, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of obnoxious

Adjective

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

Definition of spiteful

Adjective

The Larson campaign became openly contemptuous of Bronin at the May convention.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
The man didn’t catch Serena’s contemptuous expression, however, too busy peeling bills from a money clip and pressing them into his date’s hand.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of contemptuous

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“Mean-spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mean-spirited. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mean-spirited

adjective

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