Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for spite on Thesaurus.com 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. Show More
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. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of spite 1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of
despite Related forms spite·less , adjective un·spit·ed , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for spite malice ,
resentment ,
umbrage ,
pique ,
gall ,
hate ,
contempt ,
malevolence ,
venom ,
maliciousness ,
antipathy ,
peeve ,
revenge ,
vengefulness ,
malignity ,
vengeance ,
despite ,
vindictiveness ,
animosity ,
rancor Examples from the Web for spite Contemporary Examples of spite Like I said, in spite of or because of my circumstances, I was able to accomplish my dreams.
Much of the drama that transpires towards the end of the story is due to the pure love itself, not in spite of it.
In spite of that, Stewart had never appeared on the Report until last night, when he joined to discuss his new film, Rosewater.
But Boehner and the Republicans refused, completely out of cowardice and to spite Obama.
Finally, if they go to war abroad again, it will allow them to grow defense spending in spite of budget caps.
Historical Examples of spite In spite of the wound he seized the musket and forcibly wrested it from our hero.
"In spite of all that, it may be true enough," returned the lawyer, composedly.
I'm afraid of myself, even in spite of our affairs being so bad.
In spite of her calculations, in spite of her love of money, he could make her feel her weakness.
Therewith, spite of the wild dress, Dennet knew the eyes and the voice.
British Dictionary definitions for spite 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 Show More
to annoy in order to vent spite archaic to offend Show More
Word Origin for spite C13: variant of despite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for spite n. c.1300, shortened form of despit "malice" (see despite ). Corresponding to Middle Dutch spijt , Middle Low German spyt , Middle Swedish spit . Commonly spelled spight c.1575-1700. The verb is attested from c.1400. Phrase in spite of is recorded from c.1400.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with spite The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
