spleen

noun

ˈsplēn How to pronounce spleen (audio)
Definition of spleennext
1
as in anger
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something vented her spleen and felt much better for having done so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 The spleen is an important organ for fighting meningitis, and so people with lymphoma or sickle cell disease may need a booster. —Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 The sickle cells were getting stuck in her spleen, placing her in and out of hospital care. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 This Super Bowl in particular feels like a spear to the spleen of any gridiron-loving American who craves originality and spark and, well, funky fresh helmets. —Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025 He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where for a week he was treated for four broken ribs, a fractured skull, concussion and ruptured spleen. —Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spleen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spleen
  1. anger
  2. malice
  3. indignation
  4. venom
  5. outrage
  6. hatred
  7. rage
  8. spite
Noun
  • Damn, again, my woulda, shoulda anger steams beneath a somewhat placid exterior.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Aggression For some individuals, the turmoil following a breakup can give rise to an inexplicable burst of anger.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Slightly off-topic comments can derail it so far away from the original point, and it isn't always done with malice.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • To borrow another logical principle, Hanlon's razor: Don't ascribe to malice that which can be otherwise explained by rank incompetence.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    — Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Chung also used a powerful MRI scanner to produce images of the octopuses’ brains and internal organs, discovering that the males had larger venom glands than females despite their smaller size.
    — Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Once the venom wore off, the females merely forced the males away, with all six females surviving to lay their eggs.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • Italy has halted talks on a potential $1.5 billion deal for secure government communications amid outrage over threats to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink.
    — Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The National Parks Service has restored the original Harriet Tubman material featured on a webpage about the Underground Railroad after garnering outrage over its removal.
    — David Matthews, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of outrage
Noun
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • The year is 2025 and ninjas are once again all the rage.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Seems like podcasts are all the rage these days, so what makes Tracy's any different?
    — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of rage
Noun
  • The ecosystem remains unstable in spite of investments and the introduction of new tools.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Much has been made of Maldonado making the team for his defense and in spite of his offense.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of spite

Browse Nearby Words

splays
spleen
splendid
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Cite this Entry

“Spleen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spleen. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spleen

Nglish: Translation of spleen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spleen

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