despiteful

[ dih-spahyt-fuhl ]

adjective

1. malicious; spiteful.
2. Obsolete. contemptuous; insolent.

despiteful

/ dɪˈspɪtɪəs; dɪˈspaɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. an archaic word for spiteful

Derived Forms

• deˈspitefully, adverb
• deˈspitefulness, noun

Other Words From

• de·spiteful·ly adverb
• de·spiteful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of despiteful¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See despite, -ful

Example Sentences

Further, as a Castilian gentleman, do you agree with the author’s most despiteful entreatment of that sweet sex for whose sake all romances were written?

From Project Gutenberg

When the maiden heard of this refusal, and was told the despiteful words her father had spoken, she was grieved in her very heart, for her love was no girl's light fancy, but was wholly given to the knight, far more than any one can tell.

From Project Gutenberg

From this their punishment, the heathens, who turned every thing into mockery, gave all Christians the despiteful name of Sarmentitii and Semaxii*.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus saith the Lord God; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea-coast.

From Project Gutenberg

If Hor or Horus was the sun at his height, he too had suffered despiteful usage from his enemies.

From Project Gutenberg