World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesSpitefulness
/ˈspaɪt.fəl.nəs/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The quality of being disposed to show petty ill will or a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone.
"Her actions were driven by sheer spitefulness rather than any logical grievance." - 2
A malicious act or remark intended to cause petty harm.
"He brushed off the small spitefulnesses of his colleagues with a calm smile."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Middle English word 'spitous', a shortening of 'despitous' meaning contemptuous, which comes from the Old French 'despit' (contempt, malice). The suffix '-ful' and noun-forming suffix '-ness' were later added to form the modern quality denoting a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Spitefulness"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Spitefulness" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
malveillance
Transliteration: malvɛjɑ̃s
"Sa malveillance était évidente dans tous ses commentaires."
Boshaftigkeit
Transliteration: /ˈboːsˌhaftɪçkaɪt/
"Ihre Boshaftigkeit überraschte selbst ihre engsten Freunde."
dispetto
Transliteration: /diˈspɛt.to/
"Lo ha fatto per pura cattiveria e dispetto."
rencor
Transliteration: /reŋˈkoɾ/
"Actuó con un profundo rencor hacia sus antiguos socios."
maldade
Transliteration: /mawˈdadʒi/
"A maldade em suas palavras era inegável."
दुभावना
Transliteration: durbhavana
Script: दुर्भावना
"उसकी बातों में साफ़ दुर्भावना झलक रही थी।"
恶意
Transliteration: è yì
"他的行为充满了毫无理由的恶意。"
악의
Transliteration: ag-ui
"그녀의 행동에는 숨겨진 악의가 있었다."
悪意
Transliteration: akui
"彼の発言には悪意が満ちていた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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To be inclined to favor, choose, or support a particular option, idea, or course of action.
The office, government, or rule of a shōgun, the hereditary military commander who ruled Japan de facto through much of the feudal period.
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