spite
16 synonyms and 1 antonym for spite, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone.
“He scratched the car door out of pure spite after the argument.”
malice
ill will
vindictiveness
resentment
bitterness
venom
cattiness
maliciousness
spitefulness
bitchiness
nastiness
Opposites
How to use spite
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
out of spite
in spite of
pure spite
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".
