Meaning & use
out of spite
Motivated by a desire to hurt, annoy, or upset someone, rather than by any real benefit.
See it in a sentence
He canceled the trip out of spite after their argument the night before.
She said it out of spite, not because she actually believed it was true.
A note on using this word
Actions done out of spite are usually petty and driven by resentment rather than any practical goal.
Words with a similar meaning
out of malice
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
out of kindness
Make it your own
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