SPITE Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīt

Definition of spite

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm spread cruel lies out of pure spite

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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

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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 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

But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
The company’s own investigation points less to malice than to a process that never engaged.

— Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of malice

Verb

To make matters worse, the team also polled people on what behaviors annoy them most about other beachgoers.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
Of course, this would depend on whether the managers choose to pick their strongest teams in what for some is a meaningless, even annoying extra fixture, for squads who just want to go home.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

The tequila shrimp empanadas disappear quickly, while the huitlacoche quesadilla folds Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, roasted corn, and salsa macha crema into something deeper and earthier than most Midtown menus bother attempting.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Maybe altering the letters bothered her most because publication inevitably makes the integrity of a letter—the message from writer to recipient—secondary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of bother

Noun

Yet, in a surprising departure from the real-life Caroline’s historical hatred of Native Americans, this version of the character ultimately befriends White Sun and teaches Good Eagle.

— Max Gao, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
For some unapologetic antisemites like Fuentes, there’s ample evidence of blatant anti-Jewish hatred on display.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of hatred

Verb

Indoor air can carry particles and gases that irritate growing lungs and airways, making breathing problems and infections more likely.

— Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
Formaldehyde can irritate our eyes, throats, noses and lungs, but can also cause cancer — suggesting that exposure to persistent wildfire smoke could become more toxic as time goes on.

— Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of irritate

Noun

The man turned himself in and was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering, and misdemeanor cruelty to animals, according to court documents.

— Mark Price July 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
In cases of cruelty and mistreatment, they can be considered victims and not things, which radically changes the way the future of animals is defined.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Definition of cruelty

Verb

Instead, as Laura bugs her sister long enough about just forgiving her already, Mary explodes.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
The group alleged that as well as hacking their phones, journalists from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday tapped landlines and bugged houses and cars.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026

Definition of bug

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“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of spite

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verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on spite

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

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'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

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14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes