How do you use spite?

How do you use spite?

“Spite” is a noun defined as “ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart.” That's a fancy way to say “holding a grudge.” “Spite” is also a verb, which means “to purposely hurt or annoy.” For example: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

What is an example of spite?

Spite is a mean or angry feeling that makes someone want to hurt another. An example of spite is what someone feels when they are betrayed. To spite is to treat someone in a mean manner or be hurtful to another. ... She soon married again, to spite her ex-husband.

What is the meaning of just for spite?

the desire to annoy, upset, or hurt someone: He let the air out of your tires just for spite.

Does spite mean hate?

As verbs the difference between hate and spite is that hate is to dislike intensely or greatly while spite is to treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.

Is spite a feeling?

Spite is one of the most negative emotions. It ranges from the ruthless, malicious, and enormously destructive, to the trivial and seemingly harmless. Yet all spiteful acts seem to lack rational justification and to be preoccupied solely with the intent to harm—even at the risk of harm to oneself.

What makes a person spiteful?

Spiteful behaviour is motivated by being hurt. When someone says something with malicious intent to hurt, to get their point across, they're being spiteful. That person won't think about the other person's reasoning behind why they say what they say, instead they will simply lash out.

Why are people spiteful?

And why are some of us more spiteful than others? Being aggressive and lacking empathy might have a lot to do with it, researchers say. ... Traits like aggressiveness and callousness closely linked to spite, while people who were more guilt-prone or conscientious were less vindictive.

Is spite an emotion?

Spite is one of the most negative emotions. It ranges from the ruthless, malicious, and enormously destructive, to the trivial and seemingly harmless. Yet all spiteful acts seem to lack rational justification and to be preoccupied solely with the intent to harm—even at the risk of harm to oneself.

What is spiteful behavior?

When you're spiteful, you act in a mean way, with a desire to hurt someone. ... If you act or speak with the desire to hurt, bother, or infuriate someone, you are being spiteful.

Why do people feel spite?

To spite is to intentionally annoy, hurt, or upset even when there might be no (apparent) gain, and even when those actions might cause the person spiting harm, as well. Spiteful words or actions are delivered in such a way that it is clear that the person is delivering them just to annoy, hurt, or upset.

How do you respond to a spiteful person?

Even if you're respectful when you address the situation, a spiteful person may not back down. If the other person remains hostile or negative, you need to be the bigger person. Do not resort to any negative tactics the person uses, such as yelling or name calling. Instead, remain calm and walk away if necessary.

How do spiteful people behave?

Spiteful behaviour is motivated by being hurt. When someone says something with malicious intent to hurt, to get their point across, they're being spiteful. That person won't think about the other person's reasoning behind why they say what they say, instead they will simply lash out.

What are the characteristics of a spiteful person?

Researchers found the personality traits that were associated with spitefulness included: "aggression, psychopathy, Machiavellian-ism, narcissism, and guilt-free shame," while the personality traits that were associated with opposite of spitefulness included: "self-esteem, guilt-proneness, agreeableness, and ...

What makes a spiteful person?

When you're spiteful, you act in a mean way, with a desire to hurt someone. If your little brother was driving you crazy, you could calmly ignore him — or you could give him a spiteful pinch. If you act or speak with the desire to hurt, bother, or infuriate someone, you are being spiteful.

Is spite a bad thing?

"Spite can become very destructive," says David Marcus, a psychologist at Washington State University and the lead author of a study published in the journal Psychological Assessment. Someone in the midst of a divorce may hurt themselves financially or even risk alienating their kids just to get back at their ex.

How do you respond to someone being mean?

3 Strategies for Responding to a Rude Person

1. Give yourself some time to calm down and think. Think about some of the reasons people say rude things. ...
2. Address the rude thing they said and how it made you feel. ...
3. Create boundaries and consequences.

What is a spiteful person?

English Language Learners Definition of spiteful : having or showing a desire to harm, anger, or defeat someone : having or showing spite. See the full definition for spiteful in the English Language Learners Dictionary. spiteful. adjective.

What do you say to a rude person?

Here are some ways to do exactly that:

• That is really rude and there's no need for that.
• You are being inconsiderate and I need you to stop.
• This has gone far enough, this needs to stop.
• I will not tolerate rudeness, I am ending this conversation.
• We can continue when you are ready to speak respectfully.

How do you deal with unkind people?

Here are a variety of nice ways to deal with mean people, that can lessen or diffuse the mean-ness.

1. Swap negativity for positivity. Shutterstock. ...
2. Focus on what you can control. Shutterstock. ...
3. There's an app for that. ...
4. Breathe mindfully. ...
5. Kill 'em with kindness. ...
6. Call them out on it. ...
7. Zig when they zag. ...
8. Know when to fold 'em.

Who is a malicious person?

Someone who is malicious enjoys hurting or embarrassing others. If you're writing a book about good and evil, you'll want to come up with a truly malicious character to do all the bad stuff. Malicious is the adjective based on the noun malice, which means the desire to harm others.