spite

[spahyt]

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.

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.

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

verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite

2. archaic,  to offend

Other Word Forms

• spiteless adjective
• unspited 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.

see in spite of.

Synonym Study

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I do not fear death. But I am in no rush, either. Maybe I will live forever. For spite, ha, ha! Wait.”

Read more on Literature

Surely it all meant that the strange coachman truly was a friend to her and the Incorrigibles, in spite of his gruff manner and puzzling remarks.

Read more on Literature

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Barron's