despiteful
Americanadjective
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malicious; spiteful.
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Obsolete. contemptuous; insolent.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of despiteful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was a habit of mind—the only revenge that I could take upon despiteful Fate.
From The Inheritors by Conrad, Joseph
For slight is of three kinds, as stated in Rhet. ii, 2, viz. "contempt," "despiteful treatment," i.e. hindering one from doing one's will, and "insolence": and all motives of anger are reduced to these three.
From Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint
But when Theseus heard the story, he straightened himself up, so that he seemed taller than ever before; and as for his face, it was indignant, despiteful, bold, tender, and compassionate, all in one look.
From A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales For girls and boys by Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Alas!" cried the king, "that you should ask me so despiteful a boon.
From Historic Tales, Vol. XIII (of 15), Part I The Romance of Reality. King Arthur by Morris, Charles
Driven by despiteful wrong she takes her seat, In lowly grief, at Jove's eternal feet.
From Mosaics of Grecian History by Willson, Marcius
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
