spiteful

[spahyt-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of spite or malice; showing spite; malicious; malevolent; venomous.

   a spiteful child.

   Synonyms: rancorous, cruel, mean, vengeful
   Antonyms: benevolent

ˈspiteful

/ ˈspaɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. full of or motivated by spite; vindictive

Other Word Forms

• spitefully adverb
• spitefulness noun
• unspiteful adjective
• unspitefully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiteful¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; spite, -ful

Synonym Study

Spiteful, revengeful, vindictive refer to a desire to inflict a wrong or injury on someone, usually in return for one received. Spiteful implies a mean or malicious desire for (often petty) revenge: a spiteful attitude toward a former friend. Revengeful implies a deep, powerful, and continued intent to repay a wrong: a fierce and revengeful spirit. Vindictive does not imply action necessarily, but stresses the unforgiving nature of the avenger: a vindictive look.

Example Sentences

The report also described a rival fighter allegedly wanted for two murders who always traveled in a white Kia Sorento and had a personality that was “very spiteful.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In an interview with the Guardian, she described the policy as "spiteful," adding it had "punished and pushed children into hardship".

Read more on BBC

“This is an absolute assault on our local economy. It’s spiteful and politically motivated,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Just two weeks after securing his second win, the 25-year-old made it three from three in emphatic fashion, landing a series of spiteful, unanswered punches that forced the referee to step in.

Read more on BBC

It’s not easy dealing with someone as spiteful and amoral as the nation’s ax-grinder-in-chief.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barbed 
• catty 
• cruel 
• hateful 
• malicious 
• ornery 
• snide 
• venomous 
• vicious 
• vindictive