meanspiritedly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a meanspirited manner: Acting or behaving in a way that is ungenerous, petty, or motivated by malice or a lack of nobility of character.
Usage
- The adverb "meanspiritedly" describes how an action is performed. It modifies verbs to indicate that the action is done with pettiness, spite, or a lack of generosity.
- It is used to characterize behavior, speech, or actions.
Examples
- Adverb:
- He meanspiritedly refused to lend his neighbor a simple tool.
- The critic meanspiritedly attacked the young author's first novel.
- She acted meanspiritedly by spreading rumors about her colleague.
Advanced Usage
- "meanspiritedly" vs. "spitefully": While both can describe malicious intent, "meanspiritedly" often carries a stronger connotation of pettiness and small-mindedness, whereas "spitefully" emphasizes a desire to hurt or annoy.
- He meanspiritedly pointed out every minor error in the report. (Suggests pettiness.)
- He spitefully revealed her secret. (Suggests a desire to cause hurt.)
Variants and Related Words
- Meanspirited (adjective): Having or showing a petty, malicious, or ungenerous character.
- That was a meanspirited comment.
- Meanness (noun): The quality or state of being unkind, petty, or malicious.
Synonyms
- Petty: Of little importance; trivial. (When describing behavior: concerned with trivial matters, especially in a small-minded or spiteful way.)
- Spitefully: With a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend.
- Maliciously: With the intention to do harm.
- Ungenerously: In a way that is not kind or liberal in giving.
Antonyms
- Generously: In a way that shows a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected.
- Magnanimously: In a noble and generous spirit, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful.
- Benevolently: In a well-meaning and kindly manner.
Adverb
- in a meanspirited manner