spite

American  

[spahyt] / spaɪt /

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.

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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.

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.

spite British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite

2. archaic to offend

spite More Idioms  

1. see in spite of.

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Related Words

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Other Word Forms

• spiteless adjective
• unspited adjective

Etymology

Origin of spite

1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite

Example Sentences

In spite of the limitations, Mr. Tuck has come up with the names of an impressive 173 escapees spread across 12 cities.

From The Wall Street Journal

In spite of all that, Riley was upbeat when asked about the unit’s future Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times

That's been in spite of persistent jitters about the economy, Robert Edwards, chief investment officer at Edwards Asset Management, said in a note.

From BBC

Zach managed to keep finding those five all season, keeping the front steady all season in spite of injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the kind of blunt but ultimately respectful exchange that added to Reiner’s widespread appeal off-screen, both because of — and in spite of — his views.

From Los Angeles Times