as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
spread cruel lies out of pure spite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
25 June 2026
There’s this prevailing sentiment of perseverance in spite of grief, and a compulsion to dedicate his success to those who witnessed the journey.
—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Candidates are definitely choosing — to spite Hicks.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spite
Noun
In spite of tariffs, the US has been a focus for luxury labels this year.
—
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
25 June 2026
There’s this prevailing sentiment of perseverance in spite of grief, and a compulsion to dedicate his success to those who witnessed the journey.
—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
Verb
The rest of the episode is consumed with Carl’s soft opening for Soft Bar, the alcohol-free social environment that exists solely to spite Lindsay Hubbard.
—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Candidates are definitely choosing — to spite Hicks.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
Noun
-
Although Ashley had alleged things like malice, ill-will and improper motives by Adam, that still fell short of proving that Adam knew that his statements were false.
-
The documentary explores the dark web of fraud, deception and malice that led Parker to feign a pregnancy to try to bolster her relationship with boyfriend Wade Griffin — and when her fake due date passed, kill Hancock for her baby, Braxlynn Sage.
Verb
-
Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
-
Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
Noun
-
Public Luxury is less a dissertation on those tenets than an emotional response to the struggle to achieve it—mouths dripping with venom, eyes swollen with tears, hearts heavy with love.
-
One common misconception is that lionfish are inedible because of their venom.
Verb
-
For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
-
What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
Noun
-
Disciples of this extremist hatred are running for office and winning in select primaries.
-
But to the man himself, comedy is—like life—first and foremost about hatred of death.
Verb
-
But for those who just want to grab a bite or see a movie at the IMAX theater, the security protocol is an additional — possibly irritating — barrier.
-
Carpet shampoos often have a strong fragrance, which can irritate those sensitive to scent.
Noun
-
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a judge released Cruz on his own recognizance June 4 following his arraignment on felony animal cruelty charges in Sacramento Superior Court.
-
At one point, the narrator, embarrassed by his own act of cruelty, gives a sobbing woman all his money and then leaves her alone in a hotel room.
Verb
-
What really bugs me about this moment, and about the battle and its aftermath, is the lack of feeling.
-
The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
Cite this Entry
“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
