spiteful

UK: /ˈspaɪtfʊl/ US: /ˈspaɪtfəl/ ,(spīt′fəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spite•ful /ˈspaɪtfəl/  adj. 

1. full of spite:
   mean and spiteful to his little sister.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spite•ful  (spīt′fəl), adj. 

1. full of spite or malice;
   showing spite;
   malicious;
   malevolent;
   venomous:
   a spiteful child.

• 1400–50; late Middle English; see spite, -ful

spite′ful•ly, adv. 
spite′ful•ness, n. 
Synonyms

vengeful, mean, cruel, rancorous. Spiteful, revengeful, vindictive refer to a desire to inflict a wrong or injury on someone, usually in return for one received. Spiteful implies a mean or malicious desire for (often petty) revenge:
a spiteful attitude toward a former friend.
Revengeful implies a deep, powerful, and continued intent to repay a wrong:
a fierce and revengeful spirit.
Vindictive does not imply action necessarily, but stresses the unforgiving nature of the avenger:
a vindictive look.

Antonyms

benevolent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spiteful / ˈspaɪtfʊl/ adjective

1. full of or motivated by spite; vindictive