as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
cut down their neighbors' tree out of sheer spitefulness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spitefulness
Noun
-
There are plenty of GMs out there who try to emulate Lamoriello as far as trying to keep any news from leaking or keeping a close watch on what’s posted on social media, but the difference with Lou is that his rules are not enforced with malice or high emotion.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025 -
To a degree surprising for those who think of the Trump administration as a mere composite of malice, nihilism, and chaos, its Ukraine policy seems orchestrated, with three big pieces dropping yesterday alone.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Common triggers include certain foods, some medications, insect venom and latex.—
Maureen Mackey,
Fox News,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The first is that his barbed interventions could signal the full-scale arrival in Europe of the kind of online venom, misinformation, and conspiracy theories – and the angry polarization – that have poisoned American politics.—
Ned Temko,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Democrats, blinded by their hatred of him, have ignored this.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Debra Messing, who has produced a new documentary on (horseshoe-theory) antisemitism called October 8, has been one of Hollywood’s few intensely admirable exceptions, calling out anti-Jewish hatred with a fierce constancy over the past 16 months.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The whole movie is about the ways that cruelty and injustice become codified.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Matthew has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as related weapons possession and animal cruelty charges.—
Laura Barcella,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In spite of the existing clouds, there probably will be large breaks and openings that will allow for periodic views of the moon going into eclipse.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2025
-
But in spite of his power, the Red Hulk could still make sense on the team.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Spitefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spitefulness. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share