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 Bryan’s spleen was left untouched. Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026 Besides, don’t the Avs still owe La-La Land for Peter Forsberg’s spleen 25 years ago? Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026 During orientation, new hires are lectured that Kino wants to protect users from harmful images; meanwhile, their boss, Josh (Jermaine Fowler), would cut out his own spleen on camera to keep people’s eyeballs on the app. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Certain medical conditions also increase risk, including immune system disorders, HIV infection and not having a functioning spleen. CNN: What are the early symptoms, and how quickly can the illness progress? Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
Noun
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.
    Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The task is advanced by our malice toward one, and that one is Mary.
    Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Most environments do not fail out of malice.
    Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • When picturing a predator, most people envision an animal with immense speed, sharp teeth or deadly venom.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
  • Some people have an allergic reaction to the venom.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Our outrage, yours and mine, will not be to scale.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
  • For a Dodgers team already resented for buying up baseball with its massive payroll, watching its star closer stroll through a cockfighting pit in full uniform feels tailor-made to ignite outrage back home.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Many exiles, however, disagreed with that view and said the incident had only renewed their hatred for Castro.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
  • America remains the only large country in history where Jews have become fully equal citizens under a constitutional order strong enough, so far, to withstand waves of hatred and scapegoating.
    Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • High protein diets are all the rage nowadays—and for good reason.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 May 2026
  • Ménochet is a scary wonder as Marc, a great bear of a man who is chillingly adept at hiding his rage and possessiveness under the guise of a gentle, enlightened ascetic.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Where was the anger or rage or spite, aside from in fleeting, inconsequential moments?
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • This is what Neander has been doing ever since ascending to the Rays’ GM job at 32 in 2016, constantly fielding competitive teams in spite of one of the lowest payrolls in baseball every year.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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