Spite

Definition

The term spite refers to a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone. It often reflects a mean-spirited or malicious intention toward others.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English:

• IPA Pronunciation: /spaɪt/
• Respelling: SPITE (with "SPITE" rhyming with "bite" and "light")

British English:

• IPA Pronunciation: /spaɪt/
• Respelling: SPITE (similar to American English, with "SPITE" rhyming with "bite" and "light")

In both dialects, "spite" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "bite" or "light." The pronunciation of "spite" is consistent between American and British English, clearly reflecting the word's straightforward phonetic structure.

Etymology

The word "spite" is derived from Middle French spite and from Old French espite, which means anger, grudge, or irritation. It shares origins with the word despite.

Derivatives

• Spiteful
• Spitefulness
• Spitefully
• Unspiteful
• Spiteless

Synonyms

• Malice
• Vindictiveness
• Venom

Antonyms

• Benevolence
• Goodwill
• Kindness

Usage

The term "spite" is often used to describe malevolent feelings or actions targeted at others out of anger, resentment, or jealousy. It's commonly used in both casual and formal communication to denote mean-spirited behavior.

Related Terms

• Malicious
• Vindictive
• Resentful

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Malevolent Feeling: A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone, often arising from feelings of resentment or rivalry.
• Example: "She felt a twinge of spite when her coworker received a promotion."

• Vindictive Action: A petty or malicious action intended to harm or inconvenience someone.
• Example: "He took her parking spot out of pure spite."

Note that "spite" as a noun or verb is about malicious intent or action towards someone, while "in spite of" is a prepositional phrase used to show that an action or state occurs regardless of potential obstacles or hindrances.