Spite Meaning
Spite Definition & Usage
A feeling of intense dislike or resentment, often with the intention of harming or offending someone.
Examples
- "He refused to help, just out of spite."
- "She gave him the cold shoulder in spite of his apologies."
- "The decision was made in spite, without any rational consideration."
- "He lied to her in spite of all the kindness she had shown."
- "In an act of spite, she spilled the coffee on his work."
In defiance or disregard of; despite.
Examples
- "She finished the race in spite of her injury."
- "They went ahead with the plan in spite of the warnings."
- "In spite of the rain, the picnic continued."
- "He succeeded in spite of all the obstacles in his path."
- "In spite of their disagreement, they remained friends."
Cultural Context
The word 'spite' has a long history, originating from the Latin word 'despectus,' which conveys a sense of contempt or disdain. In modern usage, it is often associated with petty behavior and vindictive actions, typically driven by personal animosity or resentment.
The Cost of Spite
Story
The Cost of Spite
Sarah had always prided herself on being a kind and thoughtful person. But when she found out that her longtime friend, Emily, had secretly applied for the same job Sarah had been eyeing for months, something in her snapped. She tried to convince herself that it wasn’t a big deal—that it wasn’t personal. But every time she thought of Emily’s application, resentment bubbled up inside her. Emily was always so perfect, so confident, and Sarah was starting to feel like she could never compete. The tension between them grew. Sarah began to ignore Emily’s texts and declined her invitations. It wasn’t enough that Sarah had gotten the interview; she wanted Emily to feel her cold shoulder. One afternoon, as Sarah walked past Emily’s office building, she spotted Emily through the window—laughing and chatting with some colleagues. The sight filled Sarah with a deep sense of spite. Without thinking, Sarah sent Emily a message: 'I heard you’ve been passing off your work as mine. Funny how you always get credit for everything I do.' Emily’s response was immediate: 'What are you talking about?' But Sarah didn’t care. Her words had already been said, and she relished in the feeling of power. However, as the days passed, Sarah began to regret her actions. Emily was hurt, confused, and distanced herself even more. Sarah had pushed too far, and now, the space between them felt too wide to bridge. One evening, after several weeks of silence, Sarah decided to make amends. She called Emily and apologized for the cruel words she had sent in spite. To her surprise, Emily accepted. 'I know you were upset,' she said softly, 'but spiteful words hurt, Sarah. We both deserve better than that.' The apology didn’t immediately fix everything, but it was a step. Sarah had learned the hard way that acting out of spite only deepens wounds, and what felt like power in the moment was really a slow burn that only left her feeling emptier in the end.
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