Spiteful
“Characterized by a desire to harm, annoy, or frustrate others out of petty malice or resentment.”
Synonyms by Register & Formality
Antonyms & Opposites
Nuance Analysis & Word Contrasts
Spiteful implies a specific, often petty, motivation rooted in a desire to see another suffer for a perceived slight. Unlike 'malicious,' which can imply a grander or more calculated evil, 'spiteful' is frequently associated with small-mindedness and reactive behavior. It is more personal and emotional than the clinical 'malevolent.'
spiteful vs malicious
Malicious suggests a deep-seated, often cold-blooded intent to cause harm, whereas spiteful suggests a reactive, petty, or emotional desire to hurt someone due to personal resentment.
spiteful vs vindictive
Vindictive specifically implies a desire for revenge or retaliation for a past wrong, while spiteful can be a more general, ongoing attitude of nastiness without a specific act of retribution as the goal.