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Some common synonyms of spite<\/em> are grudge<\/em><\/a>, ill will<\/em><\/a>, malevolence<\/em><\/a>, malice<\/em><\/a>, malignity<\/em><\/a>, and spleen<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress,\" spite<\/em> implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.<\/p>

\/\/ petty insults inspired by spite<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'grudge' take the place of 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to spite<\/em>, grudge<\/em><\/a> implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.<\/p>

\/\/ never one to harbor a grudge<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'ill will' a more appropriate choice than 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms ill will<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but ill will<\/em> implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.<\/p>

\/\/ ill will<\/em> provoked by a careless remark<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'malevolence' be a good substitute for 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words malevolence<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> have much in common, malevolence<\/em> suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.<\/p>

\/\/ a look of dark malevolence<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'malice' be a better fit than 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words malice<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, malice<\/em> implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.<\/p>

\/\/ felt no malice<\/em> toward their former enemies<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'malignity' be used to replace 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words malignity<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity<\/em> implies deep passion and relentlessness.<\/p>

\/\/ a life consumed by motiveless malignity<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'spleen' be a reasonable alternative to 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of spleen<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> largely overlap; however, spleen<\/em> suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.<\/p>

\/\/ venting his spleen<\/em> against politicians<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'spite' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of spite<\/em> are grudge<\/em><\/a>, ill will<\/em><\/a>, malevolence<\/em><\/a>, malice<\/em><\/a>, malignity<\/em><\/a>, and spleen<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress,\" spite<\/em> implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.<\/p>

\/\/ petty insults inspired by spite<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'grudge' take the place of 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to spite<\/em>, grudge<\/em><\/a> implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.<\/p>

\/\/ never one to harbor a grudge<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'ill will' a more appropriate choice than 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms ill will<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but ill will<\/em> implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.<\/p>

\/\/ ill will<\/em> provoked by a careless remark<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'malevolence' be a good substitute for 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words malevolence<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> have much in common, malevolence<\/em> suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.<\/p>

\/\/ a look of dark malevolence<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'malice' be a better fit than 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words malice<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, malice<\/em> implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.<\/p>

\/\/ felt no malice<\/em> toward their former enemies<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'malignity' be used to replace 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words malignity<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity<\/em> implies deep passion and relentlessness.<\/p>

\/\/ a life consumed by motiveless malignity<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'spleen' be a reasonable alternative to 'spite'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of spleen<\/em><\/a> and spite<\/em> largely overlap; however, spleen<\/em> suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.<\/p>

\/\/ venting his spleen<\/em> against politicians<\/p>" } } ] }

spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspÄ«t How to pronounce spite (audio)
Definition of spitenext
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm spread cruel lies out of pure spite

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spite

2 of 2

verb

as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts sometimes, I swear, she keeps doing that just to spite me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spite are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

In what contexts can grudge take the place of spite?

While in some cases nearly identical to spite, 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 spite?

The synonyms ill will and spite are sometimes interchangeable, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When would malevolence be a good substitute for spite?

Although the words malevolence and spite have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than spite?

In some situations, the words malice and spite are roughly equivalent. However, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When could malignity be used to replace spite?

The words malignity and spite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Where would spleen be a reasonable alternative to spite?

The meanings of spleen and spite largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

How does the noun spite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spite are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

In what contexts can grudge take the place of spite?

While in some cases nearly identical to spite, 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 spite?

The synonyms ill will and spite are sometimes interchangeable, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When would malevolence be a good substitute for spite?

Although the words malevolence and spite have much in common, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When might malice be a better fit than spite?

In some situations, the words malice and spite are roughly equivalent. However, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When could malignity be used to replace spite?

The words malignity and spite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Where would spleen be a reasonable alternative to spite?

The meanings of spleen and spite largely overlap; however, spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

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 spite
Noun
And in spite of those popular posters of colorful doors on homes of Edwardian grandeur, Dublin was primarily a damp and dingy city of browns and greys. —Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026 What began as a professional collaboration between Boulos and the Syrian photojournalist Abd Alkader Habak gradually evolves into a love story that is not born in spite of the war, but within it. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
And the public employee unions just cut their noses off to spite their faces, adding to the consternation. —John Moorlach, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025 In an apparent attempt to spite Planned Parenthood, the Republican justices have now effectively repealed that law. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite
  1. malice
  2. annoy
  3. venom
  4. bother
  5. hatred
  6. irritate
  7. cruelty
  8. bug
Noun
  • Jurors later recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages after deciding the companies acted with malice, oppression or fraud in harming children with their platforms.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Jurors later recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages after deciding the companies acted with malice, oppression or fraud in harming children with their platforms.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of malice
Verb
  • More traditional Bachelor Nation fans annoyed by the influencer-ification of reality TV already considered Paul the death knell for the franchise even before the recent scandal.
    — Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • While nobody at Netflix has suggested that the Sussexes violated any of the terms of their agreement, which allows the couple to engage in projects in other arenas and participate in interviews for other distribution outlets, many at the streamer were annoyed by the lack of communication.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of annoy
Noun
  • The woman who was bitten, later identified as 46-year-old Gabriela Bautista of Moorpark, died March 19 as a result of rattlesnake venom toxicity, the Ventura County medical examiner’s office told KTLA.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Do not apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife or attempt to suck out the venom, officials warned.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of venom
Verb
  • But a few days before Sonya disappeared, something was bothering her, her mother said.
    — Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The sidewalk was bustling, but no one even bothered to rubberneck.
    — Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Iran hasn't been hiding its hatred of America.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Also shattered was the community’s shaky sense of security, already strained by wars in the Middle East and what many say is soaring hatred of Jews.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of hatred
Verb
  • While it’s powered by retinol, an ingredient known to be irritating, this treats my under-eye with care.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
  • All these questions started to irritate him.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • Federal authorities allege in an indictment that the images portrayed of dogs raised and offered for sale at the Giant German Shepherd Ranch in Hopkins County were a disguise for a place where, instead, cruelty and neglect were rampant.
    — J.D. Miles, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • In July, 2014, at the height of negotiations between the Islamic Republic and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, my wife and I were arrested and thrown into Evin Prison, a notorious facility known throughout Iran for its cruelty.
    — Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of cruelty
Verb
  • So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
  • But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of bug

Phrases Containing spite

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Cite this Entry

“Spite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spite. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spite for Spanish Speakers

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