despiteful

[ dih-spahyt-fuhl ]

adjective

1. malicious; spiteful.
2. Obsolete. contemptuous; insolent.

despiteful

/ dɪˈspɪtɪəs; dɪˈspaɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. See spiteful
   an archaic word for spiteful

Derived Forms

• deˈspitefully, adverb
• deˈspitefulness, noun

Other Words From

• de·spiteful·ly adverb
• de·spiteful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of despiteful¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See despite, -ful

Example Sentences

Driven by despiteful wrong she takes her seat, In lowly grief, at Jove's eternal feet.

From Project Gutenberg

But, as I told him, his despiteful mood Is ornament well suits the breast that wears it.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw in her but the despiteful, revengeful handmaid; he forgot that she was an injured wife—a neglected mother.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true, the triumph of your evil star is exceedingly despiteful.

From Project Gutenberg

If Hor or Horus was the sun at his height, he too had suffered despiteful usage from his enemies.

From Project Gutenberg