spiteful attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spiteful attitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a demeanor or behavior that is motivated by a desire to harm or annoy someone else. Example: "Her spiteful attitude towards her colleagues made it difficult for the team to work together effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But it's hardly likely to enamour the singer to her native land, which she perceives, with some justice, as adopting a rather spiteful attitude towards her success.

Independent

The special session is indicative of the openly spiteful attitude the Republicans have demonstrated toward the Democrats in the wake of the party's loss of the Supreme Court and the governor's mansion.

Vice

Remove yourself from their sphere and don't listen to their taunts, spiteful attitude, or meanness.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The directorial debut of Mr. Mullan, who won acclaim for his portrayal of a recovering alcoholic in Ken Loach's film "My Name Is Joe," "Orphans" takes especially wicked delight in contrasting the survivors' mawkish displays of grief over the death of their dear old mum with their mean, spiteful attitudes toward everyone outside the family.

The New York Times

No. Linda: your limited, spiteful, hurtful attitude does not represent "all" of us.

Huffington Post

The reluctance to marry seems to have unleashed spiteful hostility, an attitude that makes the decision not to wed a tough one.Contraception is a particular problem.

The Economist

On a personal level, too, the spiteful racism that once expressed Sinhalese attitudes to Tamils is said to be less evident.

The Economist

That I read it and found the parables manipulative, the actions of the character known as "God" petty, spiteful and vengeful -- and the book contained some of the most misanthropic, misogynistic, hateful attitudes and platitudes imaginable -- is neither here nor there for the purpose of this short essay.

Huffington Post

He's spiteful.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Selfish, spiteful and cynical".

The Guardian - Film

But mainly spiteful.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spiteful attitude" when you want to convey a sense of active malice or ill-will, rather than simple dislike or disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "spiteful attitude" when describing minor disagreements or simple dislikes. The phrase carries a strong connotation of malice and can be an overstatement in less severe situations. Instead, opt for milder terms like "negative outlook" or "uncooperative behavior" to maintain accuracy and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spiteful attitude" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a person or group. It's grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and acts as a noun phrase comprised of an adjective ("spiteful") modifying a noun ("attitude").

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spiteful attitude" effectively communicates a negative disposition characterized by malice and a desire to inflict harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. While relatively infrequent, it is typically found in news and media contexts. To avoid overuse, consider alternative phrases such as "malicious behavior" or "vindictive disposition" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious behavior

Replaces the general "attitude" with the more specific "behavior", emphasizing the actions resulting from the attitude.

vindictive disposition

Substitutes "spiteful" with "vindictive" to highlight a desire for revenge, and "attitude" with "disposition" for a more inherent trait.

resentful demeanor

Focuses on the underlying resentment fueling the attitude, replacing "spiteful" with "resentful" and "attitude" with "demeanor".

bitter outlook

Highlights the negativity and pessimism associated with the attitude, using "bitter" instead of "spiteful" and "outlook" in place of "attitude".

hostile mindset

Emphasizes the antagonism present in the attitude, substituting "spiteful" with "hostile" and "attitude" with "mindset".

rancorous nature

Highlights deep-seated bitterness by using "rancorous" and replaces "attitude" with "nature" to suggest an inherent quality.

acrimonious temperament

Focuses on sharpness and bitterness, with "acrimonious" replacing "spiteful" and "temperament" substituting "attitude".

malevolent spirit

Emphasizes the intention to do evil using "malevolent", and replaces "attitude" with "spirit" for a deeper, more ingrained negativity.

vengeful character

Stresses desire to seek retribution by using "vengeful" and replaces "attitude" with "character" to indicate a fundamental trait.

unforgiving stance

Highlights the lack of compassion and tendency to hold grudges, replacing "spiteful" with "unforgiving" and "attitude" with "stance".

FAQs

What does "spiteful attitude" mean?

A "spiteful attitude" refers to a demeanor characterized by malice, ill-will, and a desire to harm or annoy others. It suggests an active intent to cause discomfort or suffering.

What are some synonyms for "spiteful attitude"?

Alternatives to "spiteful attitude" include "malicious behavior", "vindictive disposition", or "resentful demeanor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "spiteful attitude" in a sentence?

You can use "spiteful attitude" to describe someone's behavior, for example: "Her spiteful attitude towards her former friend was evident in her constant gossiping." or "The politician's spiteful attitude was seen as detrimental to the negotiation process."

Is "spiteful attitude" a formal or informal expression?

"Spiteful attitude" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in news reports or analytical writing. Less formal alternatives might include "bad attitude" or "mean streak".