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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of spiteful
That the spiteful man sees only as far as the spiteful man can, and that can produce a work of art that is successful, but maybe not ultimately great.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Tourette’s can feel spiteful and searches out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Melvin Williams, a professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, says the spiteful nature of Swift and Lively's texts doesn't reflect well on either woman − and both have probably lost some fans as a result.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
If not for Camilla, who’d gone out of her way to take Regina in, even letting her share the bedroom with her and Lalla, the others wouldn’t have welcomed her—not out of spite, no, because none of them were spiteful after all, but out of indifference, selfishness, plain and simple.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Tourette’s can feel spiteful and searches out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Melvin Williams, a professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, says the spiteful nature of Swift and Lively's texts doesn't reflect well on either woman − and both have probably lost some fans as a result.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
If not for Camilla, who’d gone out of her way to take Regina in, even letting her share the bedroom with her and Lalla, the others wouldn’t have welcomed her—not out of spite, no, because none of them were spiteful after all, but out of indifference, selfishness, plain and simple.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiteful
Adjective
-
The Celeste team argues that large, heavy drones pose a serious cybersecurity risk, as they could be hijacked and used for harm by malicious hackers.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
That’s not necessarily malicious.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Its cruel and even lawless excesses have reverberated around the globe.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
This is how cruel football can be.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The story follows a Lebanese family caught in debts and schemes that drag them in a vicious cycle that tests their unity.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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But the score was a costly one since the penalty that sent up the goal — a vicious hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb — knocked Ducks forward Ryan Poehling out of the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Given the current political climate, especially in Washington — created by the hateful Dems — a ballroom is essential for all members of both parties.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
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Michael’s hateful words come from a desperate desire not to return home, Moss-Bachrach says.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Drain Mats Kitchen sinks may be dirty, but your drain mat is downright nasty.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
But facing the Jaguars after the Chiefs and before the Rams is nasty business.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiteful. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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