spite

[spahyt]

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.

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.

spite

/ 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

verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite

2. archaic,  to offend

Other Word Forms

• spiteless adjective
• unspited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spite¹

1250–1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite

Word History and Origins

Origin of spite¹

C13: variant of _despite

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see in spite of.

Synonym Study

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Example Sentences

“She taught me to embrace myself through drag in spite of the world not loving me back. I’m big, I’m brown, I’m gay and I’m fem. Everything changed after that,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

In spite of the fumble, USC went right back on the ensuing possession to the rushing attack and Jordan, who punched in a one-yard score.

From Los Angeles Times

If the Dodgers manage to get to the World Series this year, it will be in spite of Dave Roberts’ obvious incompetence that was fully on display in Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm Russian, I go to the end… I'm Russian, to spite the whole world."

From BBC

Marsh made the trip to L.A., in spite of dealing with a lower leg injury.

From Los Angeles Times