spite Hear it!

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 spit′ed, 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

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.

spite Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • fact: The issue is still pending in spite of the fact that we now have a protocol.
  • setback: In spite of some setbacks, the future for gene therapy is bright.
  • opposition: In spite of the opposition against the pen, why did the pen prevail?
  • persecution: But in spite of all persecution the solidarity of 30a.htm the workers of the world is growing and gaining in strength.
  • difficulty: They've done quite well in spite of the difficulty in covering rural areas.
  • effort: In spite of strenuous efforts, his deckhand was unable to recover him alone.

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 Quotes

   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

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

Browse dictionary entries near spite

  1. ‹ spitball
  2. ‹ spital
  3. ‹ spit curl
  4. ‹ spit and polish
  5. ‹ spit and image
  6. ‹ spit
  7. ‹ spiry
  8. ‹ spirulina
  9. ‹ spirula
  10. ‹ spirt
  1. spiteful ›
  2. spitfire ›
  3. Spithead ›
  4. Spitsbergen ›
  5. spitter ›
  6. spitting cobra ›
  7. spitting image ›
  8. spittle ›
  9. spittlebug ›
  10. spittoon ›