WordGarden.iospitefully
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈaɪtfəli/
US
- /spˈaɪtfəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a spiteful or mean-spirited way
Beyond the definition
To act spitefully means to do something on purpose to hurt, upset, or annoy someone because of resentment or anger. It's more than simple unkindness. There is a wish to get back at the other person or make them feel bad. Imagine a character in a story who ruins a rival's work just to be mean. Or someone spreads a rumor spitefully after feeling insulted. The word suggests clear bad feeling and a deliberate choice to cause harm.
The adverb "spitefully" describes actions motivated by spite, meaning resentment, bitterness, or a wish to hurt someone in return. When someone acts spitefully, they are not simply being rude or careless. They are deliberately trying to upset, embarrass, annoy, or hurt another person, often in a petty way.
The key element of "spitefully" is intention. It is not an accident. It is a choice meant to sting. You might describe a villain in a novel as acting spitefully when they damage the hero's plans just to make things worse. Or you could say someone spoke spitefully after an argument, choosing words meant to wound.
The word often implies a petty or unfair response. A child might break a sibling's toy spitefully after not getting their way. An adult might spread false information about a colleague spitefully after being passed over for a promotion.
"Spitefully" is not used in neutral contexts. It always carries a negative meaning and highlights the bad intent behind an action. It suggests someone is acting from resentment and wants another person to feel the effect. So if you describe someone as acting spitefully, you are showing that their words or actions were meant to hurt, not just careless or rude.
Examples
- 1
Mean reaction
She smiled spitefully when she saw that he had missed the bus.
- 2
Angry speech
“Fine, do it yourself,” he said spitefully, slamming the door behind him.
- 3
Petty revenge
After the argument, someone spitefully hid her notes before the exam.
- 4
Public embarrassment
The comment wasn't helpful; it was written spitefully to embarrass him in front of everyone.
See also
Similar
- maliciously
- vindictively
- meanly
Shades of meaning
- pettily
- cruelly
- resentfully
Contrast
- kindly
- forgivingly
Used with (collocations)
- act spitefully
- speak spitefully
- behave spitefully
- spitefully refuse
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- spitefullyadverb