SPLEENS Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'spleen' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge , ill will , malevolence , malice , malignity , and spite . While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice. // venting his spleen against politicians

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grudge' instead of 'spleen'?

Although the words grudge and spleen have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction. // never one to harbor a grudge

Q: When is 'ill will' a more appropriate choice than 'spleen'?

The words ill will and spleen can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration. // ill will provoked by a careless remark

Q: When can 'malevolence' be used instead of 'spleen'?

While the synonyms malevolence and spleen are close in meaning, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct. // a look of dark malevolence

Q: When could 'malice' be used to replace 'spleen'?

The synonyms malice and spleen are sometimes interchangeable, but malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. // felt no malice toward their former enemies

Q: When would 'malignity' be a good substitute for 'spleen'?

The meanings of malignity and spleen largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness. // a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Q: In what contexts can 'spite' take the place of 'spleen'?

The words spite and spleen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. // petty insults inspired by spite

spleen

noun

ˈsplēn

Definition of spleen

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so

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as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm the bill's failure to pass in the legislature was due to nothing more than partisan spleen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun spleen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spite. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

When is it sensible to use grudge instead of spleen?

Although the words grudge and spleen have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is ill will a more appropriate choice than spleen?

The words ill will and spleen can be used in similar contexts, but ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When can malevolence be used instead of spleen?

While the synonyms malevolence and spleen are close in meaning, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When could malice be used to replace spleen?

The synonyms malice and spleen are sometimes interchangeable, but malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When would malignity be a good substitute for spleen?

The meanings of malignity and spleen largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

In what contexts can spite take the place of spleen?

The words spite and spleen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of spleen An infection can cause the spleen to enlarge — which raises the risk of rupture — but that could be difficult to detect in an autopsy after a rupture has occurred. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 The disease had already spread to Armaie’s spleen, liver and bone marrow. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 And if you’re immunocompromised or don’t have a spleen, ask your doctor what precautions make sense. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 In other crashes, the handlebars are driven back into riders’ abdomens, causing severe damage to the liver, spleen and pancreas. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spleen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen

Noun

One of the largest online voice acting communities on Reddit, r/VoiceActing, is full of angst and anger, but few solutions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The 849 feels incrementally smoother and more confidence inspiring than its predecessor when driven in anger, thanks to drivetrain and suspension improvements.

— Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Deputies tried to keep the man alert and clam to help avoid the venom's spread before medical personnel arrived, the Facebook post stated.

— Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Veterinarians determined that the snake's venom poisoned Samba, prompting them to give her antivenin.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of venom

Noun

After outrage in Hollywood, the studio reversed course and allowed director Dave Green to shop the project around.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
However, the reaction on Capitol Hill — where Coupang has mounted an extensive lobbying effort — has not been universal outrage.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

There was something so strong about the image of that smiling, always smiling, country queen who hid her rage and pain behind the sequins, crafting these deeply personal songs.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Whether fighting or fueling it, the rage makes addicts of us all.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

On a day of love and spite and contrasts, his words resonate.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Magneto’s words are said in spite to Charles, the man who will miss him the most — who cradles his helmet for hours after Apocalypse has gone, and who keeps reliving the memory of his death over and over again throughout the season.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of spite

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splays

spleen

splendid

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“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spleen

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Synonyms of spleen

noun

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Example Sentences

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Humorless Words for the Bodily Humors

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on spleen

More from Merriam-Webster

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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