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Spite is to intentionally annoy, hurt, or upset. Spiteful words or actions are delivered in such a way in which it's clear that the person is delivering them just to annoy, hurt, or upset. ^[1] When the intent to annoy, hurt, or upset is shown subtly, behavior is considered catty.^[2]

The infamous Underground Man, of Fyodor Dostoevsky's well known novella Notes from Underground, is a widely known and highly influential example of spite at its utmost. The Underground Man's motivations for his actions remain constantly spiteful, seemingly only for the sake of spite, and in this way his subversion undercuts his own existence and ability to live in a way he might possibly want.

See also

• Hostility
• Resentment
• Spite (game theory)
• Crab mentality
• Schadenfreude
• Spite fence
• Spite house
• Cutting off the nose to spite the face

References