spite

[ spahyt ]

noun

1. a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.

   Synonyms: maliciousness, spleen, venom, rancor, malevolence

2. a particular instance of such an attitude or action; grudge.
3. Obsolete. something that causes vexation; annoyance.

verb (used with object)

, spit·ed, spit·ing.

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. in spite of
   preposition in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding

verb

1. to annoy in order to vent spite
2. archaic.
   to offend

Other Words From

• spiteless adjective
• un·spited 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 ( def 23 ).

More idioms and phrases containing spite

see in spite of .

Synonym Study

See grudge. See notwithstanding.

Example Sentences

She added that co-operation between forces during the riots this summer had occurred “in spite of, not because of, the system,” whilst data sharing was "slow" and governance of forensics "fragmented".

From BBC

It’s time for state and local leaders to get to work and show that in spite of a second Trump administration, environmentally responsible policy is still possible if they fight for it.

From Los Angeles Times

BBC News NI understands the government is "disappointed" Uefa allowed the match at Windsor Park in south Belfast to go ahead - in spite of this it granted visas to Belarusian players and staff.

From BBC

Often, in spite of its spoiled political terrain, L.A., like the bird of paradise, found a way to sprout.

From Los Angeles Times

“In spite of the homes that were lost there, there’s a measure of success in avoiding loss of human life,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times