spleen

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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 Same goes for someone who is living without a spleen due to a traumatic injury like a car accident. Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 This reminds me of the urban legend involving a person who goes to a bar, gets drugged, wakes up, and sees that an internal organ such as a liver or spleen has been removed. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 The spleen is an important organ for fighting meningitis, and so people with lymphoma or sickle cell disease may need a booster. Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 The sickle cells were getting stuck in her spleen, placing her in and out of hospital care. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
Noun
  • Down encourages readers to use their righteous anger toward rebuilding a fractured world.
    Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
  • Told in the first person, the story explores a lot of the feelings that Helen experiences: frustration and anger and love for her friend.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Jon Worrell, 58, was arrested on charges including malice murder and felony murder in the death of his wife Doris Worrell, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
  • Cornell faces charges of voyeurism with malice, second-degree stalking and breach of peace.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • But there’s vulnerability buried in that sort of indignation.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
  • The feeling was one of indignation at the officiating and at UEFA, European football’s governing body.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • At another point, he’s forced to fight while on a psychedelic trip after ingesting toad venom.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
  • For example, in Papua New Guinea, most of the snakes produce neurotoxic venom.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The abuses have sparked outrage and fear among South Sudanese nationals and marginalized groups in Khartoum, seen as having ties to RSF, who have recruited mercenaries from South Sudan.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
  • That move has sparked outrage as well as security and ethical concerns from both Republicans and Democrats. 2.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The project educates students about the dangers of hatred and bigotry and the importance of standing against all forms of prejudice.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Republicans such as our current president spew contempt like volcanoes of hatred, prejudice and madness.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors say Read, 45, deliberately hit O’Keefe, 46, with her Lexus SUV in a drunken rage and left him for dead in January 2022.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • So there’s a lot of rage from that, and rightfully so.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • China’s rapidly increasing demand for emissions-free nuclear power and Russia’s historical relationship with Astana in the nuclear sector put them both in an advantageous position to pursue further involvement in spite of Kazakhstan’s purposeful pivot to the West.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • In spite of decades of funding increases and words of support from the Oval Office, Head Start has rarely—if ever—been sufficiently funded.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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