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

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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

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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 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 At 14, Johansson was hit with a debilitating spleen injury that left him on the sidelines for months. —

Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 18 July 2024 Doctors concluded that Piazza suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries, including a fractured skull and a lacerated spleen. —

Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024 According to the state's order, removing Bryan's liver instead of his spleen was not Shaknovsky's first medical mistake. —

Lorraine Taylor, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2024 William Bryan, 70, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, underwent surgery on Aug. 21, at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Miramar, Florida, because of spleen abnormalities, according to a statement from the personal injury firm Zarzaur Law, based in Pensacola, Florida. —

Antonio Planas, NBC News, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spleen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen

Noun

At the same time, stay calm and don’t rise to meet their anger with your anger.

Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
And last year, employee anger over losing their pensions was at the heart of negotiations between Boeing and its machinist workers.

Dan Doonan, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025