SPITE Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spite 1 of 2

noun

ˈspīt

Definition of spite next

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

Examples 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

The Recording Academy announced earlier this month that the show would go on, in spite of devastating wildfires that have ravaged California in recent weeks. —

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 However, some resettled Venezuelans expressed positive views about the incoming president — painting him as the opposite of their country’s socialist leader, Nicolás Maduro — in spite of Trump’s proposed mass deportations of immigrants without legal status. —

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2025

Verb

This year, Trump reversed his opposition to TikTok, in part to spite its primary competitor, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. —

Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 July 2024 Third, Biden isn’t leaving office to spite former President Obama, who has always given short shrift to Biden’s lack of intellectual heft and personal gravitas. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for spite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spite

Noun

His father was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty on the other eight counts.

— Dakin Andone, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
Young’s legal team has tried to make the case that the text and others were evidence of malice, but Axelrod argued that the Marquardt and others involved in reporting the story showed restraint.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025