as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the gossip would utter the most vicious things with a spiteful smile
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Recent Examples of spiteful
Meester holds her cards close to her chest, leaving us to wonder whether Joanne is being spiteful and shallow (given her trajectory … probably) or whether this woman is really that unbearable.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
They were clouded by an entire era of underperformance, tough luck and spiteful ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Being consumed by negative emotions like envy or engaging in spiteful behavior does nobody any good.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
They were clouded by an entire era of underperformance, tough luck and spiteful ownership.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Being consumed by negative emotions like envy or engaging in spiteful behavior does nobody any good.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiteful
Adjective
-
The malicious actor hacked into Weiss’s contact’s Telegram, arranged a video call with him, and attempted to run a script on his computer to get his passwords.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There’s nothing malicious or negative about [their split].—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its tulle is brittle and sharp, brushing against my fur like a thousand tiny teeth, a cruel lover that bites with every move.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Because here’s the last, and cruelest, kicker.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Moreover, this isn’t your responsibility, particularly after a history of such vicious attacks.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Be cautious — but don’t write off rattlesnakes as vicious, the experts say.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For generations, students have learned about complex historical figures who, despite their positive contributions to society, were inarguably problematic, hateful or bigoted while alive.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Why would the Sun Sentinel print opinions clearly based on nothing but hateful personal feelings?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The culprit is a nasty invasive plant, which became one of the most popular landscape trees available − the Bradford pear.—
Campbell Vaughn,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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Weather officials warned of a warm front moving through north central and northeast Illinois possibly creating nasty weather of thunderstorms, damaging winds and large hail.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiteful. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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