SPLEEN Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spleen

noun

ˈsplēn

Definition of spleen next

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm the bill's failure to pass in the legislature was due to nothing more than partisan spleen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of spleen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The colon's transverse section lies horizontally, and the splenic flexure (where the colon curves sharply beneath the lower end of the spleen) is located in the LUQ. —

Joy Emeh, Health, 19 Sep. 2024 One was brittle-boned and mostly blind; another was missing a spleen. —

Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 However, lymphoma usually develops in the lymph nodes or the spleen and then spreads through the lymphatic system.9 Because leukemia and lymphoma spread differently, the diagnostic process is different. —

Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 8 Aug. 2024 It was determined that his death was caused by traumatic brain injuries and spleen damage. —

Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for spleen

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spleen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.