spleen

noun

ˈsplēn How to pronounce spleen (audio)
Definition of spleennext
1
as in anger
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm the bill's failure to pass in the legislature was due to nothing more than partisan spleen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Her team found the Bajau had an extra large spleens that could store additional oxygenated blood for lengthy dives. —Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 2 June 2025 However, the lawsuit alleges that instead of removing her spleen, Dr. Devon Callahan removed Rappaport's healthy left kidney. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 22 May 2025 Our hypothesis is that hitting any target within the spleen activates enough nerves to produce the beneficial effect. —Sangeeta S. Chavan, IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025 Their findings, recently published in Science Translational Medicine, suggest that the spleen could be key to growing new, functional tissues within the body. —Discover Magazine, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
  1. anger
  2. malice
  3. indignation
  4. venom
  5. outrage
  6. hatred
  7. rage
  8. spite
Noun
  • The Sweeney ad has been the subject of both online praise and anger for over a week.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • And our film has caused disruption and fierce anger among veteran photographers all these decades later.
    — Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Most action items die from forgetfulness, not malice.
    — Ishaan Agarwal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The incident was reported on July 11 at Fahey’s home where the two men from New York were arrested on voyeurism with malice, first-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree breach of peace charges.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • At the heart of Nugent’s indignation was the 2021 sting operation that entangled him and three other landowners in a legal battle with the DNR.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2025
  • That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Guitarist Tom Bukovac composed a flowing instrumental riff to open the performance, creating a little extra sweetness that helps hide the passive-aggressive venom.
    — Tom Roland, Billboard, 24 July 2025
  • Though a bite from any rattlesnake is dangerous and should be treated immediately, the Mojave rattlesnake packs one of the most potent venoms with a nasty neurotoxic twist that can affect your nervous system.
    — Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • After a two-year spike during the pandemic and national outrage over police accountability, Chicago began to see a decline in homicides in 2022.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Trump's demand for nearly 10 times that -- along with the threats that the U.S. might pull its troops from the country -- has previously drawn widespread outrage in the country, spurring calls by some for the development of South Korea's own nuclear arsenal.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of outrage
Noun
  • Many were subjected to many forms of hatred spawned from these misunderstandings.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • Despite his extensive progressive bona fides, Wertham’s hatred of the comics medium has forever branded him a right-wing zealot in the minds of comic fans.
    — Vasilis K. Pozios, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • The truth is, 2025 has been an anger-inducing experience for so many people that a simmering rage has been building all year.
    — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 31 July 2025
  • This has unintended consequences when both Batel and Spock share a vision that sends Spock into a berserk rage.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 July 2025
Definition of rage
Noun
  • In spite of its troubles, the postal service trails only the National Park Service in terms of public favor, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Here’s why employers in 2025 are hiring you because of your side hustle, not in spite of it.
    — Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of spite

Browse Nearby Words

splays
spleen
splendid
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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of spleen for Spanish Speakers

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