spite 1 of 2

spite

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verb

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

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 spite
Noun
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is slated to publish September inflation data on Friday morning, in spite of a government shutdown that has paralyzed federal reporting and has no end in sight. Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025 Nastia Korkia The Gold Hugo goes to a film that, in spite of very little dialogue, kept us on the edge of our seats with its powerful mise-en-scène and poetic characterizations of people and place. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The majority, however, attended out of sincere interest and fandom, not to spite the $ome $exy $ongs 4 U artist. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 18 June 2025 Joyce, who had been dead for 18 years, vividly inhabited its chapters, getting drunk, going blind, spending money, spiting enemies, cogitating, and, of course, creating a series of works that immediately made literary history. Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
Noun
  • Shortly after, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and malice murder charges.
    Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • It’s theorized this is because the brown widow isn’t able to inject as much venom as its larger relative.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Their venom Is not considered dangerous to humans, although a bite would likely be painful and cause swelling similar to that of a wasp sting.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • My darling, hatred takes the beauty away.
    Tracee Ellis Ross, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Muschietti touched on this in his movies — the bullying of Mike Hanlon and the hate-crime murder of Adrian Mellon — including the way Pennywise fosters and foments the hatred already lurking in the hearts of Derry’s citizens.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How Air Quality and Allergens Affect Vision Pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide irritate the eyes and contribute to inflammation.
    William Jones, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025
  • That time hasn’t arrived yet, though, so the Packers know what awaits them Monday night from a team that might have a little more incentive to irritate everyone inside Lambeau Field.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Pardo Bazán’s themes are fear, love, hatred, forgiveness, cruelty, repentance, homesickness, and madness—that is, naked reality as experienced across social strata in her time.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The punishment doesn't match the cruelty of your actions.
    Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Time to start bugging a friend with Hulu + Live TV instead or invest in an antenna.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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