spiteful

[ spahyt-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of spite or malice; showing spite; malicious; malevolent; venomous:

   a spiteful child.

   Synonyms: rancorous, cruel, mean, vengeful

   Antonyms: benevolent

ˈspiteful

/ ˈspaɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. full of or motivated by spite; vindictive

Derived Forms

• ˈspitefully, adverb
• ˈspitefulness, noun

Other Words From

• spiteful·ly adverb
• spiteful·ness noun
• un·spiteful adjective
• un·spiteful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiteful¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; spite, -ful

Synonym Study

Spiteful, revengeful, vindictive refer to a desire to inflict a wrong or injury on someone, usually in return for one received. Spiteful implies a mean or malicious desire for (often petty) revenge: a spiteful attitude toward a former friend. Revengeful implies a deep, powerful, and continued intent to repay a wrong: a fierce and revengeful spirit. Vindictive does not imply action necessarily, but stresses the unforgiving nature of the avenger: a vindictive look.

Example Sentences

He spent years sowing doubts and corroding faith in our judicial and political systems, spraying insults like a spiteful crop-duster.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a calculated decision to protect his other business interests from spiteful retaliation by a potential president Trump, and it was presaged for almost a year by Bezos’ move to hire a new publisher, Will Lewis.

From Salon

He's a spiteful misogynist, and banning abortion nationwide will simply feel like his "revenge" on women who rejected his "protection."

From Salon

One called the Instagram posts “immature, insensitive, and spiteful” and promised to recruit other donors to end their contributions.

From Slate

Kylie thrives on challenges, and she's faced more than a few over the last 37 years - from spiteful critics and creative mis-fires to a life-changing encounter with breast cancer.

From BBC

Related Words

• barbed
• catty
• cruel
• hateful
• malicious
• ornery
• snide
• venomous
• vicious
• vindictive