Spite: Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：malicious intent (spite)

spite 🔊

/spaɪt/

The mean feeling when you want to annoy someone because you're upset or jealous.

Spite definition illustrated by a person with a smug, mean expression after a hurtful act.

malicious intent 🔊

➕

/məˈlɪʃəs ɪnˈtent/

A feeling of wanting to hurt, annoy, or offend someone, often stemming from pettiness, jealousy, or a sense of being wronged.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'despectus' (contempt), via Old French 'despit'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'spite' rhymes with 'bite' - a spiteful person wants to 'bite' back with mean actions.

📖 Example

He didn't want the job himself; he just told the boss lies about the other candidate out of spite. 🔊 His motivation was not personal gain, but purely malicious intent to harm the other candidate's chances.

🔗 Collocations

out of spite – motivated by a desire to hurt or annoy

sheer spite – pure malice with no other reason

spiteful remark – a comment made with the intent to hurt

🔄 Synonyms

malice (n.) – The intention or desire to do evil or cause harm.

grudge (n.) – A persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury.

rancor (n.) – Bitterness or resentfulness, especially long-standing.

🚫 Antonyms

benevolence (n.) – The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.

goodwill (n.) – Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feeling or attitude.

🌱 Derivatives

spiteful (adj.) – Showing or caused by malice.

spitefully (adv.) – In a malicious manner.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'spite' evolved from the Latin 'despectus', meaning 'contempt' or 'looking down upon'. It entered Middle English via Old French 'despit', retaining the core sense of malicious disdain. The common modern phrase 'in spite of' retains a hint of this defiance.