spleen

Definition of spleennext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spleen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spite. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

When is it sensible to use grudge instead of spleen?

Although the words grudge and spleen have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is ill will a more appropriate choice than spleen?

The words ill will and spleen can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When can malevolence be used instead of spleen?

While the synonyms malevolence and spleen are close in meaning, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When could malice be used to replace spleen?

The synonyms malice and spleen are sometimes interchangeable, but malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for spleen?

The meanings of malignity and spleen largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of spleen?

The words spite and spleen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spleen In that case, the estate of the late Faye Jean Robinson of Waterloo alleged that in May 2023, Chaudhry performed surgery on Robinson to repair a hernia and to remove her kidney and spleen. Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Mar. 2026 Surgeons found the girl with what prosecutors described as significant internal injuries, including a fractured posterior rib, liver and spleen lacerations and significant internal bleeding. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Snell also tore his Achilles tendon in 1970, suffered a severe knee injury (1971), and a ruptured spleen (1972) that required surgery. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026 During pregnancy, some of your baby’s DNA may cross the border of the placenta, enter your bloodstream, and persist in organs, such as your kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, heart, or brain. Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
Noun
  • That a website better known for racing to announce celebrity deaths and releasing videos of misbehaving reality stars has turned its eye on DC says something about the anger roiling the nation.
    Elex Michaelson, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Their last few encounters have left Dana on the brink of tears or screaming in anger at herself in the bathroom.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Officers arrested Granger on Tuesday and charged him with rape, aggravated assault, malice murder, and two counts of felony murder.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Peterson said there was no evidence of malice by Dance and that good faith is presumed for public officers.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Surely there was something more beneath all this mild pleasantness, some edge of resentment, a few shards of indignation on the brink of cutting through.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • To his astonishment — and culinary indignation — the screen returned an absolute void.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The very notion of national unity in a time of war seems utterly beyond this president, who follows his capricious instincts and continues, as ever, to spray venom at domestic opponents (and, for that matter, allies) when they are needed to wage and win the war.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Also in the rattlesnake win column, their venom has been a major source of inspiration for medical treatments, Taylor said.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The outrage was loud enough that, the following day, the Wizards released an apology.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In Carlsbad, an 11-year-old Black girl was physically assaulted in an incident that sparked community outrage.
    Fabienne Perlov, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What was disturbing were people who sped past a foot away from elderly people, shouting obscenities with faces twisted in hatred.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Këkht Aräkh is not unique in his loneliness; the pain of being alone is as thematically central to DSBM as the hatred of Christianity.
    Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Infiniti lets us in on Agnes’ mounting disillusionment in small doses hinting at pain and, possibly, rage (add Carrie to the underdeveloped influences).
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
  • There is hope in words that can reframe our perspectives, entertain and offer humor, or commiserate in our rage or grief.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But that other supplier would have to try to reverse engineer that particular dye—formulas for dyes and colorants were, in spite of being in service to the war effort, still proprietary—and backward engineering color from a finished product is a crapshoot.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
  • This was in spite of the defendants being allowed in the course of the trial to note that Gutierrez had a prior conviction.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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