spleen

noun

ˈsplēn How to pronounce spleen (audio)
Definition of spleennext
1
as in anger
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm the bill's failure to pass in the legislature was due to nothing more than partisan spleen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spleen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spite. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

When is it sensible to use grudge instead of spleen?

Although the words grudge and spleen have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is ill will a more appropriate choice than spleen?

The words ill will and spleen can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When can malevolence be used instead of spleen?

While the synonyms malevolence and spleen are close in meaning, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When could malice be used to replace spleen?

The synonyms malice and spleen are sometimes interchangeable, but malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for spleen?

The meanings of malignity and spleen largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of spleen?

The words spite and spleen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spleen He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where for a week he was treated for four broken ribs, a fractured skull, concussion and ruptured spleen. —Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025 The wave of prions slowly accumulates, spreading through the spleen and the lymph nodes and through the peripheral nervous system into the central nervous system. —Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025 Andrew lost a few ribs, his spleen, and half a lung, and is lucky to be alive. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025 Elder told the outlet those who sought medical attention at UMC had injuries ranging from severe head injuries and lacerated spleens to bullet grazes and multiple broken bones. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
  1. anger
  2. malice
  3. indignation
  4. venom
  5. outrage
  6. hatred
  7. rage
  8. spite
Noun
  • President Donald Trump has reacted with anger after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States, in response to a wave of tariffs on Canadian goods.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Customers have been loudly expressing their frustration and anger.
    — Forrester, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Jose Ibarra was convicted Nov. 20, 2024 of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and assault with intent to rape, among other charges, in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court.
    — Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Worse than his malice is his neediness, which seems to break through that fourth wall to put its sticky fingers around our throats.
    — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • With love and loss, inspiration and indignation, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) is a folk tale, a small-town barroom yarn, a gothic novel, and a ghost story.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Advertisement To put it mildly, the indignation is real but a remedy is missing. Lawmakers face a deadline at the end of the week to adopt a spending program or trigger a government shutdown.
    — Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Its identity can help ensure correct venom is prescribed.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • They are known as some of the most dangerous animals in the sea due to their extremely powerful venom, and several people in Australia have died after being bitten by one, according to the Australian Museum.
    — Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • Press-freedom advocates expressed outrage and alarm.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Local news outlet 10 News First captured footage of her wildlife interference that sparked international outrage.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of outrage
Noun
  • Even if those two men didn’t make it out of Europe alive, the unspeakable acts carried out in the name of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich would still live on in infamy, reminding humanity what blind hatred and xenophobia could lead to if a society wasn’t careful.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Venerable baby boomer Kevin Bacon plays the titular bounty hunter Hub Halloran, a proud Georgia man with little tolerance for tomfoolery and a hatred of the Red Sox.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Such avant-garde court designs certainly are the rage these days.
    — Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In these moments, an intense, nearly existential bewilderment sets in, usually followed by rage.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of rage
Noun
  • In spite of widespread problems with unaffordable housing and car insurance, consumer spending had been holding up.
    — Greg Petro, Forbes, 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
Definition of spite

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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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