as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile
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Recent Examples of spiteful
Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
—
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
They were clouded by an entire era of underperformance, tough luck and spiteful ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Being consumed by negative emotions like envy or engaging in spiteful behavior does nobody any good.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
They were clouded by an entire era of underperformance, tough luck and spiteful ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Being consumed by negative emotions like envy or engaging in spiteful behavior does nobody any good.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiteful
Adjective
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Their faltering attempt at a total crackdown—which can’t muzzle the anger and bravery of ordinary people—and its general odor of malicious incompetence, is even seeping into the White House’s hermetic media echo chamber.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Just like the ClickFix attacks, this malicious trickery is all about running commands that almost all users would never think to do in normal circumstances.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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An old 4chan meme designed as a cruel caricature has somehow become the face of clueless commentators asking for context.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As late as the 9th century, Canis Major was pictured as a fierce, vicious hunting dog.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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That kind of improvement could help avoid a worst-case scenario the Fed has been desperate to avoid, one where expectations for high inflation trigger a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This is not the first time that Peacock has taken to social media to ask viewers to refrain from sending hateful messages.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
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Since 2004, Orange County also has been predominantly nonwhite, but some conservative families, such as Woodward’s, bond over a hateful ideology.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As many of us can attest, this slick layer of ice can lead to nasty falls.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
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The Patriots, who pursued signing Stidham this offseason as a free agent, will have something nasty in store for the longtime reserve.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiteful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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