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

Other Word Forms

• spitefully adverb
• spitefulness noun
• unspiteful adjective
• unspitefully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ˈspiteful¹

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.

Related Words

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