spite

[spahyt]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spite ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Idioms

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

Related formsspite·less, adjectiveun·spit·ed, adjective

Synonyms for spite

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spite ON THESAURUS.COM

1. malevolence, maliciousness, rancor, venom, spleen. See grudge. 8. See notwithstanding.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity
William O’Connor
December 22, 2014
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of spite

In spite of the wound he seized the musket and forcibly wrested it from our hero.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
"In spite of all that, it may be true enough," returned the lawyer, composedly.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
I'm afraid of myself, even in spite of our affairs being so bad.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
In spite of her calculations, in spite of her love of money, he could make her feel her weakness.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Therewith, spite of the wild dress, Dennet knew the eyes and the voice.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for spite

spite

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

Word Origin and History for spite

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.

Idioms and Phrases with spite

spite

see in spite of.