despitefully

Thân thiện

They spoke despitefully about their neighbor.

Definition

Adverb: * In a maliciously spiteful manner; with deliberate intent to cause hurt or distress. This adverb describes an action done with a strong desire to harm, offend, or upset someone, often stemming from resentment or ill will.

Usage

The word "despitefully" is a formal and somewhat literary adverb. It is used to modify a verb, describing how an action is performed—specifically, in a manner full of spite or malice. * It is most commonly found in older texts, religious contexts, or formal writing. * In modern, everyday English, words like "spitefully," "maliciously," or "vindictively" are more frequently used.

Examples

• The critic spoke despitefully of the author's work, aiming to damage her reputation rather than offer constructive feedback.
• He treated his former allies despitefully, spreading rumors about them after their disagreement.
• "Pray for them that despitefully use you..." (a well-known biblical phrase).

Advanced Usage

• Despiteful (Adjective): The adjective form meaning "full of spite; malicious."
  • Her despiteful comments were intended to cause pain.
• The term often implies a sense of unjust or unprovoked malice, where the harmful action is perceived as particularly mean-spirited.

Variants and Related Words

• Despite (Preposition): Without being affected by; in spite of.
  • She finished the race despite her injury.
  • Note: This is a distinct and more common word. "Despite" as a preposition is unrelated to the malicious meaning of "despitefully."
• Despiteful (Adj): Malicious, spiteful. (As above).

Synonyms

• Spitefully
• Maliciously
• Vindictively
• Malevolently
• Hatefully

Antonyms

• Kindly
• Benevolently
• Compassionately
• Graciously
• Forgivingly

Học thuật

Adverb

1. in a maliciously spiteful manner
   • pray for them that despitefully use us

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spitefully