spite Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
spite definition

spite (spīt)

noun

    1. a mean or evil feeling toward another, characterized by the inclination to hurt, humiliate, annoy, frustrate, etc.; ill will; malice
    2. an instance of this; a grudge
  2. Obsolete something annoying or irritating

Etymology: ME, aphetic < despite: see despite

transitive verb spited spit′ed, spiting spit′·ing

to behave in a spiteful manner toward; vent one's spite upon by hurting, annoying, frustrating, etc.
spite Idioms

in spite of

in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms spite idiom

spite Synonyms

spite

n.

umbrage, malice, malignity, resentment, ill will, hatred, contempt, harsh feeling, grudge, antipathy, enmity, animosity, rancor, venom, bad blood*; see also hate.

in spite of

nevertheless, in defiance of, despite; see notwithstanding.

Antonyms love*, sympathy*, affection.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

spite Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • fact: The issue is still pending in spite of the fact that we now have a protocol.

Converse of object

  • show: The devil has always shown a mortal spite and hatred toward that holy book, the Bible.

Adjective modifier

  • personal: Not revolve around personal spite, secret documents and personal character assassinations.
spite usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

spite quotes

All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony, not understood; All partial evil, universal good: And, spite of Pride, in erring Reason's spite, One truth is clear,'Whatever Is, is.'

-Pope, Alexander

   But words came halting forth, wanting Invention's stay; Invention, Nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows† Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite, 'Fool,'said my muse to me; 'look in thy heart, and write.'

-Shute, Nevil originally Nevil Shute Norway

Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land; 844 Ring in the Christ that is to be.

-Tennyson

spite quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"spite." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/spite>

APA Style

spite. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/spite

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment