spite

[ spahyt ]

noun

1. a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.

   Synonyms: maliciousness, spleen, venom, rancor, malevolence

2. a particular instance of such an attitude or action; grudge.
3. Obsolete. something that causes vexation; annoyance.

verb (used with object)

, spit·ed, spit·ing.

1. to treat with spite or malice.
2. to annoy or thwart, out of spite.
3. to fill with spite; vex; offend.

spite

/ spaɪt /

noun

1. maliciousness involving the desire to harm another; venomous ill will
2. an instance of such malice; grudge
3. archaic.
   something that induces vexation
4. in spite of
   in spite of preposition in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding

verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite
2. archaic.
   to offend

Other Words From

• spiteless adjective
• un·spited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spite¹

1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite

Word History and Origins

Origin of spite¹

C13: variant of despite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in spite of, in disregard or defiance of; notwithstanding; despite:

   She arrived at school on time in spite of the snowstorm.

2. cut off one's nose to spite one's face. nose ( def 23 ).

More idioms and phrases containing spite

see in spite of .

Synonym Study

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Example Sentences

Like I said, in spite of or because of my circumstances, I was able to accomplish my dreams.

From The Daily Beast

Much of the drama that transpires towards the end of the story is due to the pure love itself, not in spite of it.

From The Daily Beast

In spite of that, Stewart had never appeared on the Report until last night, when he joined to discuss his new film, Rosewater.

From The Daily Beast

But Boehner and the Republicans refused, completely out of cowardice and to spite Obama.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, if they go to war abroad again, it will allow them to grow defense spending in spite of budget caps.

From The Daily Beast

"I verily believe they're gone to look at my button," cried Davy, beginning to laugh, in spite of his fears.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked up at him with sad and eloquent eyes, which softened his heart in spite of himself.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of this, the garden studio was not wholly forsaken, and nearly every day she accomplished something there.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence their presence elsewhere, in spite of their passionate attachment to their free native hills.

From Project Gutenberg

Mindful of the military nature of the occasion he appeared in his old army overcoat, in spite of the heat.

From Project Gutenberg