spleen

Definition of spleennext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spleen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spite. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

When is it sensible to use grudge instead of spleen?

Although the words grudge and spleen have much in common, 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 spleen?

The words ill will and spleen can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When can malevolence be used instead of spleen?

While the synonyms malevolence and spleen are close in meaning, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When could malice be used to replace spleen?

The synonyms malice and spleen are sometimes interchangeable, but malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for spleen?

The meanings of malignity and spleen largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of spleen?

The words spite and spleen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

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 spleen That brain area responds by sending signals back down the vagus nerve to the spleen. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025 Ever since losing his spleen, he is supposed to get immunization shots every three years. Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 The tissue samples came from organs including the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, spleen, intestines, adrenal glands, and skin. Jamie Ducharme, Health, 26 Aug. 2025 The senior coroner for Cheshire, Jacqueline Devonish, said at the hearing that Lilly's spleen didn't rupture until the morning of her death, so there was nothing that could have previously alerted medics, according to the Guardian. Becca Longmire, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
Noun
  • Did the man go too far, or was his anger justified?
    Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • As Blacc hinted at, there is more than a little anger to go around about what happened before, during and since the fires, along with the sorrow and thousand other emotions.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors could not prove malice in the case.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Some commenters did acknowledge a minority viewpoint, suggesting the conflict may stem from differing perspectives rather than malice.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Regardless of our paths — whether that meant escaping war in Ethiopia or being the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors — many of us labor under the belief that this work requires us to commit to the ideals of this nation and not the indignation and nightmare of the insurrection.
    Sarah Ghermay, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
  • How else to account for the ferocity of the public indignation?
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • It’s theorized this is because the brown widow isn’t able to inject as much venom as its larger relative.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Their venom Is not considered dangerous to humans, although a bite would likely be painful and cause swelling similar to that of a wasp sting.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Her death sparked outrage across the country.
    Ryan Oehrli January 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Several Democrats in the state privately cautioned Walz against seeking reelection as outrage intensified in Minnesota and beyond over the misuse of funds.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Some viewers will know Rapaport from his decadeslong acting career but also that one very irritating season of Justified; others will know him for his anti-Palestinian rants and hatred of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
  • This is not to say that rape can be separated from the hatred of women, just that, in certain situations, the role of the victim can be violently reassigned.
    S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Over the years, wallpaper has been all the rage.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But that’s often in spite of, not because of, government design.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Jennings is held together by tape, adrenaline, and pure spite.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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