spite

[spahyt] /spaɪt/
noun
1.
a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.
2.
a particular instance of such an attitude or action; grudge.
3.
Obsolete. something that causes vexation; annoyance.
verb (used with object), spited, spiting.
4.
to treat with spite or malice.
5.
to annoy or thwart, out of spite.
6.
to fill with spite; vex; offend.
Idioms
7.
cut off one's nose to spite one's face. nose (def 23).
8.
in spite of, in disregard or defiance of; notwithstanding; despite:
She arrived at school on time in spite of the snowstorm.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English; aphetic variant of despite
Related forms
spiteless, adjective
unspited, adjective
Synonyms
1. malevolence, maliciousness, rancor, venom, spleen. See grudge. 7. See notwithstanding.
Examples from the web for spite
  • Nonetheless, in spite of their many differences, the two cities do share much in common.
  • In spite of this, many people find it a moving experience.
  • We rolled ourselves in blankets, determined to rest in spite of the storm.
  • In spite of their new status and the architectural homage in the capital, their lot has hardly improved.
  • Reject too many people for a job opening and they may flag your ad in spite every time they see it-and every new ad you post, too.
  • We both enjoyed the film in spite of how difficult it was to watch at times.
  • As if to spite me, the sky was blue, and the light was too brilliant.
  • The authorities cut off their own nose to spite their face.
  • Nuclear energy gives us a clean and sustainable energy option, in spite of the hysteria surrounding it.
  • We had to laugh at the little rascal in spite of ourselves.
British Dictionary definitions for spite

spite

/spaɪt/
noun
1.
maliciousness involving the desire to harm another; venomous ill will
2.
an instance of such malice; grudge
3.
(archaic) something that induces vexation
4.
(preposition) in spite of, in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding
verb (transitive)
5.
to annoy in order to vent spite
6.
(archaic) to offend
Word Origin
C13: variant of despite
Word Origin and History for spite
n.

c.1300, shortened form of despit "malice" (see despite). Corresponding to Middle Dutch spijt, Middle Low German spyt, Middle Swedish spit. Commonly spelled spight c.1575-1700. The verb is attested from c.1400. Phrase in spite of is recorded from c.1400.

Idioms and Phrases with spite

spite

see: in spite of