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spite

[ spahyt ]

/ spaɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR spite ON THESAURUS.COM

WATCH NOW: What's The Difference Between "Spite" And "Despite"?

WATCH NOW: 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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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.

Words nearby spite

spit-shine, spital, spitball, spitballer, spitchcock, spite, spite fence, spiteful, spitfire, spithead, spitsbergen

Idioms for 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

SYNONYMS FOR spite

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

8 See notwithstanding.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR spite ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM spite

spite·less, adjectiveun·spit·ed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for 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|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
He was convinced that he ought to join them, and did so in spite of the ridicule of his rich and titled friends.
The Story of American History|Albert F. Blaisdell
In spite of their manners, however, these fellows are the biggest cheats on earth.
Albert Ballin|Bernhard Huldermann
To bring Torella to my feet—to possess my Juliet in spite of him—all this my wealth could easily achieve.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851|Various
Unless this were done the monks would suffer lack; so some one had to be sent, in spite of the last mutterings of the revolt.
The Age of Erasmus|P. S. Allen
"I didn't know Jim had any particular partiality for me," said Fred, but he felt kindlier toward the boy in spite of himself.
The Calico Cat|Charles Miner Thompson

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

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.

The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...