Smite vs. Spite — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Smite" refers to striking with a strong blow or afflicting suddenly, often used in historical or religious contexts, while "spite" is a feeling of ill will or resentment that leads to actions intended to hurt or annoy.
Difference Between Smite and Spite
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Smite" traditionally implies a forceful, often devastating blow or strike, typically used in literature or scripture to denote powerful, divine retribution. On the other hand, "spite" describes a mindset or action driven by malice, intending to irritate, harm, or demean someone, often out of petty resentment or dislike.
While "smite" might be seen in contexts like epic tales or dramatic narratives, conveying grand or fatal impacts, "spite" often appears in everyday scenarios where personal grievances or minor conflicts arise, leading to spiteful remarks or behaviors.
The verb "smite" can also metaphorically mean to impress or captivate, as in being smitten by someone's charm. In contrast, "spite" doesn't have a positive connotation and is solely associated with negativity and the desire to cause distress or inconvenience to others.
"Smite" has an old-fashioned tone, suggesting severe or divine punishment, like smiting enemies in battle or being smitten by a plague. Whereas "spite" is commonly used in modern language, reflecting ongoing interpersonal tensions or spiteful acts that are more psychological than physical.
In terms of emotional impact, "smite" often carries a sense of awe or solemnity due to its historical and dramatic uses. "Spite," however, typically evokes feelings of pettiness, vindictiveness, or bitterness, highlighting less heroic and more everyday human flaws.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To strike forcefully or severely
To act with ill will to annoy or hurt
Usage Context
Historical, literary, religious
Everyday, interpersonal relationships
Connotation
Powerful, often divine intervention
Negative, malicious intent
Emotional Impact
Awe, severity
Pettiness, vindictiveness
Examples of Use
Battles, epic tales, divine acts
Petty grievances, minor conflicts
Compare with Definitions
Smite
To attack or affect severely.
The drought smote the farmlands with terrible dryness.
Spite
Malicious ill will prompting an urge to hurt or humiliate.
Her actions were driven by pure spite.
Smite
To inflict a destructive blow or punishment.
The plague smote the village, leaving devastation in its wake.
Spite
To act with malice or ill will to hurt someone.
He took the last piece of cake in spite, knowing she wanted it.
Smite
To strike with a firm blow.
The knight smote the dragon with his sword.
Spite
To deliberately annoy or upset someone.
She spoke sharply to her colleague out of spite.
Smite
To affect strongly or take by surprise.
He was smitten by her smile from across the room.
Spite
Petty or mean-spirited behavior.
Spite made him refuse to share the information.
Smite
To kill or injure severely.
In the tale, the hero smites his foes mercilessly.
Spite
A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend.
He acted out of spite when he spread the rumors.
Smite
To inflict a heavy blow on, with or as if with the hand, a tool, or a weapon.
Spite
Malicious ill will prompting an urge to hurt or humiliate another person.
Smite
To drive or strike (a weapon, for example) forcefully onto or into something else.
Spite
To treat with spite; show spite toward
"Maybe she became engaged to him in order to spite another man" (Nathaniel West).
Smite
To attack, damage, or destroy by or as if by blows.
Spite
Ill will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the desire to unjustifiably irritate, annoy, or thwart; a want to disturb or put out another; mild malice
He was so filled with spite for his ex-wife, his brother was afraid of what he might do.
They did it just for spite.
Smite
To afflict
The population was smitten by the plague.
Spite
(obsolete) Vexation; chagrin; mortification.
Smite
To afflict retributively; chasten or chastise.
Spite
(transitive) To treat maliciously; to try to hurt or thwart.
She soon married again, to spite her ex-husband.
Smite
To affect sharply with great feeling
He was smitten by deep remorse.
Spite
To be angry at; to hate.
Smite
To deal a blow with or as if with the hand or a handheld weapon.
Spite
(transitive) To fill with spite; to offend; to vex.
Smite
(archaic) To hit; to strike.
Spite
Notwithstanding; despite.
Smite
To strike down or kill with godly force.
Spite
Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite.
This is the deadly spite that angers.
Smite
To injure with divine power.
Spite
Vexation; chargrin; mortification.
Smite
To kill violently; to slay.
Spite
To be angry at; to hate.
The Danes, then . . . pagans, spited places of religion.
Smite
To put to rout in battle; to overthrow by war.
Spite
To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.
Smite
To afflict; to chasten; to punish.
Spite
To fill with spite; to offend; to vex.
Darius, spited at the Magi, endeavored to abolish not only their learning, but their language.
Smite
To strike with love or infatuation.
Bob was smitten with Laura from the first time he saw her.
I was really smitten by the color combination, and soon repainted the entire house.
Who'd be smitten over a bird?
Spite
Feeling a need to see others suffer
Smite
A heavy strike with a weapon, tool, or the hand.
Spite
Malevolence by virtue of being malicious or spiteful or nasty
Smite
To strike; to inflict a blow upon with the hand, or with any instrument held in the hand, or with a missile thrown by the hand; as, to smite with the fist, with a rod, sword, spear, or stone.
Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And David . . . took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead.
Spite
Hurt the feelings of;
She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests
This remark really bruised me ego
Smite
To cause to strike; to use as an instrument in striking or hurling.
Prophesy, and smite thine hands together.
Saul . . . smote the javelin into the wall.
Smite
To destroy the life of by beating, or by weapons of any kind; to slay by a blow; to kill; as, to smite one with the sword, or with an arrow or other instrument.
Smite
To put to rout in battle; to overthrow by war.
Smite
To blast; to destroy the life or vigor of, as by a stroke or by some visitation.
The flax and the barly was smitten.
Smite
To afflict; to chasten; to punish.
Let us not mistake God's goodness, nor imagine, because he smites us, that we are forsaken by him.
Smite
To strike or affect with passion, as love or fear.
The charms that smite the simple heart.
Smit with the love of sister arts we came.
Smite
To strike; to collide; to beat.
The heart melteth, and the knees smite together.
Smite
The act of smiting; a blow.
Smite
Inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon
Smite
Affect suddenly with deep feeling;
He was smitten with love for this young girl
Smite
Cause pain or suffering in;
Afflict with the plague
That debasement of the verbal currency that afflicts terms used in advertisement
Common Curiosities
Can spite be justified in any context?
While some may feel justified in their actions, spite is generally viewed negatively and is associated with pettiness and malice.
Can smite have a positive meaning?
"Smite" can have a positive aspect when used metaphorically in expressions like "smitten with love," unlike "spite," which is always negative.
How do the uses of smite and spite differ in literature?
"Smite" is often used in epic literature or religious texts to describe powerful actions or divine judgments, while "spite" appears in narratives involving personal conflicts or minor vindictive acts.
Can someone act in spite without feeling spiteful?
Generally, spite involves a deliberate intention, so actions driven by spite are usually accompanied by spiteful feelings.
What historical contexts use smite?
Historical contexts for "smite" include biblical narratives, ancient warfare descriptions, and classical mythology.
What are examples of spiteful behavior?
Spiteful behaviors include making hurtful comments, sabotaging someone's efforts, or deliberately withholding help out of malice.
What is the main difference between smite and spite?
"Smite" generally means to strike or hit hard, often used in a dramatic or divine context, while "spite" refers to behaving maliciously or with ill will.
Is spite always intentional?
Yes, spite involves intentional actions or behaviors aimed at causing distress or inconvenience to others.
Does spite have any legal implications?
Yes, actions taken in spite, such as slander, harassment, or deliberate destruction of property, can have legal consequences.
Can spite be seen in professional settings?
Yes, spite can manifest in professional settings through undermining colleagues, spreading harmful gossip, or sabotaging team projects.
Are there modern examples of smiting?
Modern examples of "smiting" could include metaphorical uses such as being smitten by an idea or overwhelmingly affected by an event.
Is smite used in modern language?
"Smite" is less common in everyday speech today and is mostly found in historical or stylistic contexts.
How does smite relate to divine retribution?
"Smite" is often associated with divine retribution in religious texts, symbolizing the severe punishment or wrath of a deity.
What emotional response does spite evoke in others?
Spite typically evokes resentment, irritation, or sadness in others, as it involves unnecessary malice or hurtfulness.
How does spite affect relationships?
Spite can severely damage relationships, fostering mistrust and ongoing resentment between individuals.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
