spite

spite — noun

1. Used to introduce a fact that makes what you are saying surprising — something h

1.nounB1
Definition

Used to introduce a fact that makes what you are saying surprising — something happened even though another fact suggested it would not.

Example

In spite of the rain, Christopher and his sister played in the garden for hours.

in spite of + noun phrase at sentence start

Salma got the job in spite of having no experience in that field.

Common collocations
  • in spite of + noun phrase
  • in spite of + gerund
  • in spite of everything
  • in spite of the fact that
Synonyms
  • despite

    Same meaning; no preposition required after despite

  • even though

    Followed by a full clause instead of a noun phrase

  • notwithstanding

    More formal, often used in legal or official contexts

Antonyms
  • because of

    States a reason instead of a contrast

  • thanks to

    Positive connotation; gives credit rather than contrast

Grammar Patterns

in spite of + noun phrase

in spite of + gerund

Usage Note

In spite of means the same as despite. The key difference is that despite does not take of — it is followed directly by a noun or gerund.

Common Mistakes

In spite the rain, we went out.
In spite of the rain, we went out.
The phrase requires of after spite.
Despite of the rain, we went out.
Despite the rain, we went out.
Unlike in spite of, despite is used without of.

2. Doing something without meaning or expecting to, even while trying not to — beca

2.nounB2
Definition

Doing something without meaning or expecting to, even while trying not to — because a feeling or reaction is too strong to control.

Example

Kenji laughed in spite of himself when the clown tripped.

in spite of + reflexive pronoun (himself)

Élise found herself smiling in spite of herself during the sad movie.

Common collocations
  • in spite of + reflexive pronoun
  • laugh in spite of oneself
  • smile in spite of oneself
  • fall asleep in spite of oneself
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

in spite of + reflexive pronoun

Usage Note

This fixed expression always takes a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). Never use a regular pronoun (him / her / them) in this phrase.

Common Mistakes

She laughed in spite of her.
She laughed in spite of herself.
The reflexive pronoun herself must match the subject.
In spite of me, I started crying.
In spite of myself, I started crying.
The reflexive must match the subject I.

3. The wish to make someone else feel angry or upset, often for a reason that seems

3.nounB2
Definition

The wish to make someone else feel angry or upset, often for a reason that seems small or unfair.

Example

Salma broke her brother's favourite mug out of pure spite.

out of spite (common collocation)

The old man sold the house out of spite toward his own children.

Common collocations
  • out of spite
  • pure spite
  • sheer spite
  • act of spite
  • spite toward someone
Synonyms
  • malice

    More formal and serious; implies a deeper ill will

  • ill will

    Less intense; general unfriendliness without a specific action

  • resentment

    Focuses on feeling wronged over time, not a sudden urge to hurt

  • vindictiveness

    Includes a strong desire for revenge

Antonyms
  • goodwill

    Friendly and helpful attitude

  • kindness

    Gentle and caring behaviour toward others

Grammar Patterns

out of spite

act of spite

pure spite

Usage Note

Often used in the phrase out of spite to state the reason for a deliberately hurtful action. Also common in pure spite, sheer spite to emphasise that no other motive exists.

Common Mistakes

She did it because of spite.
She did it out of spite.
The correct preposition is out of, not because of.
Idioms

in spite of

idiom

Despite — used to show that something happened or is true even though another fact suggests it should not.

In spite of the midday heat, the school relay team finished their race.

Kenji enjoyed the trip to Japan in spite of the twelve-hour flight from London.

in spite of yourself

idiom

Doing something without intending or expecting to, even though you try not to.

The audience clapped in spite of themselves after the shy girl finished her solo.

In spite of himself, Ramón began to enjoy the party where his ex-girlfriend was present.

in spite of something

idiom

Used to show that something happens even though there is a difficulty or obstacle.

Maya went to the party in spite of her bad cold.

In spite of the heavy rain, the children played outside.

spite — verb

Word family

  • spiteful
    adjectiveB2
  • spitefully
    adverbC1
  • spitefulness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

Spite, malice, ill will, resentment, and vindictiveness all describe negative feelings toward someone, but they differ in intensity and cause. Spite is the most everyday word — it refers to a petty, personal urge to annoy or hurt someone, often over something small (e.g., breaking a mug out of spite). Malice is more serious and formal; it suggests a deep, lasting hatred and a wish for real harm, especially in legal contexts ('malice aforethought'). Ill will is the mildest of the group — a general unfriendliness or dislike without a specific hurtful action. Resentment builds over time from feeling unfairly treated; it is less active than spite and more about brooding anger. Vindictiveness is the strongest — it includes a burning desire for revenge and a willingness to cause serious damage. For example: 'She spread the rumour out of spite' — a quick, petty act. 'He acted with malice when he destroyed her career' — a calculated, serious attack. 'Years of resentment made him cold toward his family.' 'Her vindictiveness led her to ruin his reputation completely.'

maliceill willresentment ↗vindictiveness

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

  • out of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Spite comes from Middle English, shortened from despite, which was taken from Old French despit (contempt, scorn). The French word came from Latin despectus (a looking down on), the past participle of despicere (look down on). The original sense was 'contempt' or 'scorn'. Over time, the modern meaning shifted from 'scornful disregard' to the specific idea of doing something out of petty meanness. The phrase in spite of originally meant 'in defiance of' or 'in contempt of', and later softened to the modern meaning of 'despite'.