SPITEFULNESS Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

spitefulness

noun

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm cut down their neighbors' tree out of sheer spitefulness

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for spitefulness

Noun

The two are fond but sick of each other, at times bickering with real melancholy and malice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
The Court finds Defendant could not have responded to these instances of 'actual malice' in the First Amended Complaint, as they were not framed as such.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

Researchers have shown that the venom reduces activity in parts of the nervous system involved in starting movement.

— Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
The arachnids, jet black with a dash of red, cultivate a powerful venom that can be painful to humans.

— Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of venom

Noun

Orlando should be proud of the people who gave those words meaning by refusing to let hatred go unanswered.

— Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The exchange is one of many contentious clashes between those who oppose data centers in their communities, which have earned bipartisan hatred, and those advocating for them.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Orange County prosecutors also charged Nguyen with animal cruelty and animal abuse by a caretaker, both felonies, and a sentencing enhancement alleging the personal use of a weapon.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express outrage and sadness over the cruelty inflicted on kittens, with many calling for harsher penalties for animal abuse.

— Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruelty

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.

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spitefully

spitefulness

spites

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“Spitefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spitefulness. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of spitefulness

noun

Example Sentences

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