spite

American  

[spahyt] / spaɪt /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   spleen , venom , rancor , maliciousness , malevolence

2. a particular instance of such an attitude or action; grudge.

3. Obsolete.  something that causes vexation; annoyance.

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verb (used with object)

spited, spiting

1. to treat with spite or malice.

2. to annoy or thwart, out of spite.

3. to fill with spite; vex; offend.

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.

spite British  

/ 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. (preposition) in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding

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verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite

2. archaic  to offend

spite More Idioms  

1. see in spite of.

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Related Words

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Other Word Forms

• spiteless adjective
• unspited adjective

Etymology

Origin of spite

1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite

Example Sentences

The eventual tax savings are still substantial, and if you don’t take advantage, it’s like “cutting off your nose to spite your face,” says Bethany Dever, a certified financial planner at Rockland Trust.

From Barron's

The Trojans’ defense certainly didn’t help matters, in spite of assurances that it had ironed out its issues over three standout, second-half performances.

From Los Angeles Times

"Sometimes it's just a friend for the summer holidays or it's a teenage kid trying to spite you," says Atkins.

From BBC

"If they win in Australia it will be in spite of their lack of match practice, not because of it. Match practice would give them a better chance," he said.

From Barron's

In spite of dropping his service early, the second set was more straightforward as Alcaraz raced away to to claim his fifth victory in as many meetings with De Minaur.

From Barron's