spite

UK: spaɪt | US: spaɪt

Definition

  1. n. a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

  2. vt. to deliberately hurt, annoy, or offend someone

Structure
spite <malice>
Etymology

The word "spite" traces back to Old French despit (meaning "scorn"), derived from Latin despectus (past participle of despicere "to despise"). Over time, the prefix de- was dropped in English, leaving "spite" to embody the core idea of malicious intent or contempt. The evolution reflects a narrowing of meaning from general scorn to active malice.

Examples

  1. She refused to help him out of sheer spite.

  2. He ignored her advice just to spite her.

  3. The act was done in spite, not out of necessity.

  4. Despite their rivalry, he never acted out of spite.

  5. Spiteful comments only worsen conflicts.