Spite — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈspīt/

Meaning & Definition of Spite

Spite (noun)

  1. petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart
  2. an instance of spite

Spite (verb)

  1. annoy, offend
  2. to fill with spite
  3. to treat maliciously (as by shaming or thwarting)

Spite (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm

    "spread cruel lies out of pure spite"

    similar: cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
    related: abusiveness, cruelty, abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment, despicableness, invidiousness, vengefulness, vindictiveness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, bitchery, bitchiness, contempt, disdain, jealousy, pique, scorn, bile, virulence, vitriol
    near: devotion, love, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship, affection, charity, kindliness, kindness, comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding

Spite (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "sometimes, I swear, she keeps doing that just to spite me"

    similar: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, irritate, itch, nark (British), nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, vex, get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on
    related: hassle, heckle, nag, inflame, provoke, rouse, badger, bait, bullyrag, devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil, agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry, affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage
    near: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Related Entry: In spite of (phrase)

In spite of is a different word from Spite. The synonyms below are for in spite of, not for spite.

  1. without being prevented by

    "In spite of what we believed, no one had actually been in the house for weeks."

    similar: despite, notwithstanding, regardless of, with, in defiance of, in despite of

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spite

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spite:

British: nark
cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness, aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, irritate, itch, nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle

Related Words for Spite

abusiveness, cruelty, abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment, despicableness, invidiousness, vengefulness, vindictiveness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion

Near Antonyms of Spite

devotion, love, passion, amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality, adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship, affection, charity, kindliness, kindness, comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding, appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify

Word Forms of Spite

Inflections: spited, spiting

Origin & Etymology of Spite

Middle English, short for despite

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Spite

Words & Phrases Containing Spite

in spite of, cut off one's nose to spite one's face, in spite of oneself

Frequently Asked Questions about Spite

What does "Spite" mean?

"Spite" means petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spite"?

Other words for "Spite" include cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance and malignancy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spite" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spite"?

There are 132 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spite". Common alternatives include cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity and meanness.

How do you use "Spite" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spite" in a sentence: "spread cruel lies out of pure spite"; "sometimes, I swear, she keeps doing that just to spite me".

Is "Spite" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spite" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Spite" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Spite" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Spite"?

"Spite" is pronounced /ˈspīt/.

What is the origin of the word "Spite"?

"Spite" comes from Middle English, short for despite. First known use: 14th century.