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
• rouse
• enrage
• harass
• devil
• nag
• hassle
• distress
• discomfort
• inflame
• antagonize
• heckle
• affront
• pester
• badger
• disquiet
• exercise
• harry
• rankle
• unsettle
• agitate
• bait
• perturb
• discompose
• undo
• hagride
• 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

In spite of the strength of the domestic box office, the Country of Honor focus, backed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry and Japan External Trade Organization, chimes in with an increasingly international outlook across the Japanese film industry. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 May 2026

Being able to work with anyone, get things done in the face of adversity and accomplish the task at hand, in spite of naysayers, road blockers and opponents. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Verb

Far less persuasive are the uses of spontaneous modern dance sequences, whether in the flashback montages, or when Josie suddenly dances forcefully first to spite her mother whilst arguing in her studio, and later in a reconciliation scene. —David Katz, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026

Advertisement Back home, Khan’s political opponents, all of them escapees of the same jail where Khan resides, have cut their noses to spite his handsome face. —Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025

Phrases Containing spite

• in spite of