spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīt How to pronounce spite (audio)
Definition of spitenext
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm spread cruel lies out of pure spite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
In spite of a seismic crossing of the technological Rubicon, an abandonment of the centuries-old deference to the naked eye, a codifying and calcifying of the most atomic-level building block of the sport, baseball mostly just looked like baseball. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026 Experts agree that Europe is well placed in terms of skills, technical knowledge, and businesses—both small and large—which continue to innovate in spite of the challenges. —Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
And the public employee unions just cut their noses off to spite their faces, adding to the consternation. —John Moorlach, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025 In an apparent attempt to spite Planned Parenthood, the Republican justices have now effectively repealed that law. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
  1. malice
  2. annoy
  3. venom
  4. bother
  5. hatred
  6. irritate
  7. cruelty
  8. bug
Noun
  • Officers arrested Granger on Tuesday and charged him with rape, aggravated assault, malice murder, and two counts of felony murder.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Peterson said there was no evidence of malice by Dance and that good faith is presumed for public officers.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of malice
Verb
  • Black also appeared as a frustrated office worker trying to get a co-worker (Ashley Padilla) to stop talking to him and others annoyed by the woman.
    — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Unless you’re annoyed at paying the junior engineers $300,000 a year straight out of school.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of annoy
Noun
  • The very notion of national unity in a time of war seems utterly beyond this president, who follows his capricious instincts and continues, as ever, to spray venom at domestic opponents (and, for that matter, allies) when they are needed to wage and win the war.
    — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Also in the rattlesnake win column, their venom has been a major source of inspiration for medical treatments, Taylor said.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of venom
Verb
  • The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.
    — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But he isn’t bothered by the fact that the cost has jumped by more than $1 a gallon over the past month or so.
    — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • What was disturbing were people who sped past a foot away from elderly people, shouting obscenities with faces twisted in hatred.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Këkht Aräkh is not unique in his loneliness; the pain of being alone is as thematically central to DSBM as the hatred of Christianity.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of hatred
Verb
  • The cream contains the brand’s Active Hydramesh Technology, which fights off environmental stressors that can irritate the skin while providing up to 48 hours of hydration.
    — John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While essential oils usually don’t irritate sensitive skin, extra-sensitive folks should avoid them altogether.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • The post-liberals stand for cruelty and inanity, but Brooks can’t admit to standing for much of anything at all.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • In an era of near continuous cruelty by the administration, the imprisonment of the boy and his father attracted massive media and political attention and eventually saw both released on February 1.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of cruelty
Verb
  • Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The cost of it, however, is boots and bug repellent.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of bug

Phrases Containing spite

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spite

Nglish: Translation of spite for Spanish Speakers

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