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 appearance of the spite triangle made headlines in July 1922, with the New York Times giving it an aptly small amount of newspaper real estate . Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 Their culture and practices shaped the Southwestern part of this country, in spite of relentless attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 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
  • They’re built not to resist developers but, as their name suggests, they’re intentionally designed, with a degree of malice, to annoy someone specific.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Emerson's defense team argued that the case was more about mental health than malice.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While Johnson had plenty to be pleased with, he was annoyed by the number of penalties and said the offense has to do a better job of running the football.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
  • They’re built not to resist developers but, as their name suggests, they’re intentionally designed, with a degree of malice, to annoy someone specific.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At Venomworld, herpetologist Remi Ksas collects venom from some of the world’s most dangerous snakes for medical and pharmaceutical uses.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The scorpion, who will sting with their poisonous venom when hurt, is extremely intuitive and highly aware of their surroundings.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Not the kind of thrift store that’s actually thrifty, but the kind of thrift store that doesn’t have any price tags because the people who can afford to shop there don’t need to bother themselves with price tags.
    Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Being a double Viking with Swedish and Norman blood on each side of my family, the cold never bothered me.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The endorsement comes as Cuomo has lobbed increasingly caustic attacks on Mamdani, equating his criticism of Israel with antisemitism and warning of a city beset by crime, hatred and disorder if his opponent wins.
    Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't been shy about his hatred of the rival NFL franchise.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The formula was comfortable and didn’t irritate my skin or leave any residue.
    Essence, Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The lord didn’t much care for that, which of course only made Heinzelmann want to irritate him further.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Being tied to the mast of a regime defined by cruelty and graft is a problem of another magnitude entirely.
    Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
  • After shifting power to the people—like a year-plus bus boycott can do, for example—and getting the government to lessen its corruption, cruelty, injustice or violence, defending those gains is a must.
    Michael Shank, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Chinch bugs overwinter in moist, deep thatch.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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