spiteful

Spiteful is an adjective used to describe actions, remarks, or attitudes that are motivated by spite: a petty, often malicious desire to annoy, injure, or embarrass someone. Spiteful conduct typically occurs without constructive purpose and is directed at harming others rather than attaining a legitimate goal. The intensity can vary from mild irritation expressed in a petty remark to more deliberate acts intended to cause distress or damage.

Usage of spiteful is common in descriptions of interpersonal behavior among peers, colleagues, or family. It is often associated with petty retaliation, sarcasm, or cruel humor. Because it implies motive rather than just outcome, labeling something as spiteful emphasizes the underlying bad intent rather than the effect alone. In grammar, spiteful can describe a person, action, or remark: a spiteful remark, spiteful behavior, spiteful rumors. Adverbs include spitefully.

Related terms include spite, mean-spirited, malicious, vindictive, and petty. Differences: spite is the noun for the feeling or motive; vindictive emphasizes a desire for revenge; mean-spirited highlights a lack of consideration for others.

Notes: Spitefulness is generally viewed negatively; in some contexts, discussions of conflict may distinguish between petty spite and more serious malice. Etymology: derived from the noun spite combined with the suffix -ful to form an adjective describing motive.