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 Same goes for someone who is living without a spleen due to a traumatic injury like a car accident. —Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 This reminds me of the urban legend involving a person who goes to a bar, gets drugged, wakes up, and sees that an internal organ such as a liver or spleen has been removed. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 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 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
  • Down encourages readers to use their righteous anger toward rebuilding a fractured world.
    — Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
  • Told in the first person, the story explores a lot of the feelings that Helen experiences: frustration and anger and love for her friend.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Jon Worrell, 58, was arrested on charges including malice murder and felony murder in the death of his wife Doris Worrell, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
  • Cornell faces charges of voyeurism with malice, second-degree stalking and breach of peace.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • But there’s vulnerability buried in that sort of indignation.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
  • The feeling was one of indignation at the officiating and at UEFA, European football’s governing body.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Brunson adapts to pressure, then punishes it — like a snake that builds immunity to its predator’s venom.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • In addition, a customer usually won’t know how much of the code was written using AI, so there won’t be any public outrage, as is the case with self-driving cars.
    — Victor Erukhimov, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Access to care Over the past year, the insurance industry has come under strong criticism, and two measures in the bill attempt to rein in some of the practices that have elicited the most public outrage.
    — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 23 May 2025
Definition of outrage
Noun
  • No more tolerance of hatred, no more mercy for criminals.
    — Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 28 May 2025
  • Antisemitism, hatred and terrorism must be stopped, lest our civilization fall into the abyss.
    — Diane Gensler, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Diddy was accused of blowing up Kid Cudi’s car in a jealous rage Shortly after finding out about their relationship, Combs allegedly threatened to blow up Mescudi's car, as detailed in the lawsuit.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • Haliburton, the star Indiana Pacers point guard, appeared to have missed the attempt that would pierce their hearts, turn their stomachs into mush and transform their minds into a cauldron of rage.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 22 May 2025
Definition of rage
Noun
  • In spite of that brevity, some preliminary research suggests DMT can have long-lasting psychological and even therapeutic effects.
    — Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • Mulvaney is someone who lives authentically in the face of bigotry and stands in her truth, in spite of an onslaught of hate.
    — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 May 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 3 Jun. 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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