adjective
spiteful
SPYT-fuul
Spiteful (adjective) means Full of spite; deliberately unkind or vindictive. Example: “She made a spiteful comment about his new haircut.”
adjective
1
Full of spite; deliberately unkind or vindictive.
"She made a spiteful comment about his new haircut."
"He's not usually spiteful, but the divorce brought out his worst side."
How to use spiteful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing or speaking out of a petty desire to hurt someone.
Common pairings
spiteful remark
spiteful behavior
a spiteful person
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more spiteful, spitefuller
- Superlative
- most spiteful, spitefullest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She made a _____ comment about his new haircut.
Etymology
From spite plus the adjective-forming suffix -ful.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for spiteful
See all rhymes for spiteful →Frequently asked questions
What does “spiteful” mean?
The word “spiteful” means full of spite; deliberately unkind or vindictive. In plain terms, acting or speaking out of a petty desire to hurt someone.
How do you pronounce “spiteful”?
“Spiteful” is pronounced SPYT-fuul (/ˈspaɪtfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “spiteful” in a sentence?
Here is “spiteful” used in a sentence: “She made a spiteful comment about his new haircut.”
What part of speech is “spiteful”?
“Spiteful” is an adjective.
