spite
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for spite, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use spite
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A shortened form of Middle English despit, itself from Old French despit and Latin dēspectus, "looking down on" — the same root as "despise" and "despite."
Full origin of spite →Frequently asked questions
What does “spite” mean?
The word “spite” means a petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone. In plain terms, a small, mean urge to upset someone, or (as "in spite of") a way of saying "despite.".
How do you pronounce “spite”?
“Spite” is pronounced spyt (/spaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spite” in a sentence?
Here is “spite” used in a sentence: “She only said it out of spite, not because it was true.”
What part of speech is “spite”?
Depending on how it is used, “spite” can be a noun, a verb and a preposition.
Where does the word “spite” come from?
The word “spite” comes from Latin. A shortened form of Middle English despit, itself from Old French despit and Latin dēspectus, "looking down on" — the same root as "despise" and "despite.".
Is “spite” a common word?
“Spite” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spite” have?
“Spite” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone.
What is the difference between "in spite of" and "despite"?
They mean the same thing — notwithstanding — and are interchangeable: "In spite of the rain" equals "Despite the rain." The main trap is that despite is never followed by "of", and both expressions take a noun, pronoun, or -ing form rather than a full clause.
What is the difference between spite and malice?
Both involve a desire to hurt, but spite is petty and personal — a small-minded urge to annoy or upset someone, often over a grudge. Malice is stronger and broader, meaning a wish to cause real harm, and it also carries legal weight in phrases like "with malice aforethought".