What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Spite vs Fierce - What's the difference?

spite | fierce |

As a noun spite

is ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; a desire to vex or injure; petty malice; grudge; rancor.

As a verb spite

is to treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.

As a preposition spite

is notwithstanding; despite.

As an adjective fierce is

extremely violent, severe, ferocious or savage.

spite

English

Etymology 1

From a shortening of (etyl) despit, from (etyl) despit (whence despite). Compare also Dutch spijt.

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; a desire to vex or injure; petty malice; grudge; rancor.
    • He was so filled with spite for his ex-wife, he could not hold down a job.
    They did it just for spite .
  • * Shakespeare
    • This is the deadly spite that angers.
  • (obsolete) Vexation; chagrin; mortification.
    • "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite." Shakespeare, Hamlet

    Verb

    (spit)
  • To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.
    • She soon married again, to spite her ex-husband.
  • (obsolete) To be angry at; to hate.
    • The Danes, then pagans, spited places of religion. — Fuller.
  • To fill with spite; to offend; to vex.
    • Darius, spited at the Magi, endeavoured to abolish not only their learning, but their language. — Sir. W. Temple.
    Related terms
    * spiteful * in spite of * despite

    See also

    * malignant * malicious

    Etymology 2

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • Notwithstanding; despite.

    • Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    fierce

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Extremely violent, severe, ferocious or savage.
    • A fierce storm battered the coast.
  • Resolute or strenuously active.
    • We made a fierce attempt to escape.
  • Threatening in appearance or demeanor.
    • The lion gave a fierce roar.
  • (slang, Ireland, rural) very, excellent.
    • It was fierce cold.
    Q: "How was the party last night?" A: "Fierce !"
  • (slang, US) Of exceptional quality, exhibiting boldness or chutzpah.
    • Tyra said to strike a pose and make it fierce .

    Derived terms

    * something fierce

    Anagrams

    *