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

The researchers believe the plant is still operational in spite of the damage.

From BBC

The complaint was investigated by the Norfolk and Suffolk professional standards department, which said the officers' actions were "more due to immaturity than spite".

From BBC

Venus Williams further inspired fans by leading the fight for women's players to earn equal prize money, and the way she has prolonged her career in spite of her health problems.

From BBC

He told the audience he wished "to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he's under treatment for cancer".

From BBC

“Francis was based a little bit on my grandmother on my dad’s side, who’s Mexican and was an immigrant and had a lot of spite and anger, but was very driven and passionate,” LeFranc said.

From Los Angeles Times