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Definition of "spiteful" [spite•ful]

  • Filled with, prompted by, or showing spite; malicious. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "spiteful" in a sentence
  • "Because he became known as a spiteful, mean-spirited man who deliberately badmouthed anyone who was more successful than he was."
  • "Being nasty, mean-spirited or spiteful is not going to bring down gas prices, stop the war or unite this broken country!"
  • "It is no better when it is vented in spiteful and mischievous language: He that utters slander is a fool too, for God will sooner or later bring forth that righteousness as the light which he endeavours to cloud, and will find an expedient to roll the reproach away."