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spite

[ spahyt ]

/ spaɪt /

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noun

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

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

Obsolete. something that causes vexation; annoyance.

verb (used with object), spit·ed, spit·ing.

to treat with spite or malice.

to annoy or thwart, out of spite.

to fill with spite; vex; offend.

OTHER WORDS FOR spite

1 malevolence, maliciousness, rancor, venom, spleen.

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VIDEO FOR SPITE

What's The Difference Between "Spite" And "Despite"?

If you cut off your nose despite your face, that’s like lopping off your schnoz without any regard to your face. But if you cut off your nose to spite your face, you’re doing because you’re so mad at it. So which is it?

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QUIZ

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Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

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Idioms about spite

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

in spite of, in disregard or defiance of; notwithstanding; despite: She arrived at school on time in spite of the snowstorm.

Origin of spite

1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite

synonym study for spite

1. See grudge. 8. See notwithstanding.

OTHER WORDS FROM spite

spiteless, adjectiveun·spit·ed, adjective

Words nearby spite

spit and polish, spitball, spitballer, spitchcock, spit curl, spite, spite fence, spiteful, spitfire, Spithead, spit in the ocean

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spite in a sentence

In spite of their differences with Cardona, both large teachers unions in Connecticut are supporting his nomination.
In Connecticut, Miguel Cardona led a full-court press for schools to reopen|Laura Meckler, Nick Anderson|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
So what surprised me was there was still an enormous volume of users coming through, in spite of all this competition that was out there.
PPC award winners talk strategies for competitive times, industries, and marketplaces|Carolyn Lyden|January 29, 2021|Search Engine Land
Disregarding that promise, her father’s wife sells her out of spite.
Sadeqa Johnson’s ‘Yellow Wife’ chronicles one tenacious enslaved woman’s survival in the antebellum South|Ellen Morton|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
These stories have a remarkable richness — not in spite of the pandemic, but because of it.
The Highlight’s best reads of the year|Lavanya Ramanathan|December 24, 2020|Vox

In spite of all the hours spent talking, there are some things you don’t tell Fatima about.
Dark spaces on the map|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Like I said, in spite of or because of my circumstances, I was able to accomplish my dreams.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity|William O’Connor|December 22, 2014|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.
The Japanese Women Who Love Gay Anime|Brandon Presser|December 6, 2014|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.
Pot-Smoking Grannies, Jimmy Fallon Covers U2, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Boehner and the Republicans refused, completely out of cowardice and to spite Obama.
For Obama, Hell Week Has Arrived|Michael Tomasky|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finally, if they go to war abroad again, it will allow them to grow defense spending in spite of budget caps.
Assuming GOP Does Take the Senate, Dems Have Nothing to Fear|Veronique de Rugy|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I verily believe they're gone to look at my button," cried Davy, beginning to laugh, in spite of his fears.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
She looked up at him with sad and eloquent eyes, which softened his heart in spite of himself.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
In spite of this, the garden studio was not wholly forsaken, and nearly every day she accomplished something there.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
Hence their presence elsewhere, in spite of their passionate attachment to their free native hills.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Mindful of the military nature of the occasion he appeared in his old army overcoat, in spite of the heat.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

British Dictionary definitions for spite

spite

/ (spaɪt) /

noun

maliciousness involving the desire to harm another; venomous ill will

an instance of such malice; grudge

archaic something that induces vexation

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

verb (tr)

to annoy in order to vent spite

archaic to offend

Word Origin for spite

C13: variant of despite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with spite

spite

see in spite of.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.