mean spirited
Deliberately hurtful natured
Mean-spirited describes someone who is petty, unkind, or takes pleasure in others' misfortune.
A mean-spirited remark is deliberately hurtful.
A mean-spirited prank aims to humiliate rather than amuse.
The term suggests smallness of character—not just occasional rudeness but a disposition toward spite: It was mean-spirited of her to bring up his failures at the party.
Wanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
scheming · wicked · evil · harmful · devious · malignant · poisonous · toxic
Derisively insinuating
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- derisiveExpressing contemptuous ridicule
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
scathing · caustic · cutting · biting · acerbic · vitriolic · sneering · taunting
Lacking pity or mercy
- callousCruelly insensitive to others
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- pitilessLacking any compassion
cold-blooded · unfeeling · uncaring · unsympathetic · uncharitable · brutal · vicious · harsh
Actively opposed or hostile
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
quarrelsome · pugnacious · ornery · contentious · unfriendly · unwelcoming · disagreeable · ill-tempered
spiteful
Wanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
vicious · scheming · wicked · evil · harmful · devious · malignant · poisonous · toxic · petty
snide
Derisively insinuating
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- derisiveExpressing contemptuous ridicule
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
disdainful · scathing · caustic · cutting · biting · acerbic · vitriolic · sneering · taunting · ridiculing
heartless
Lacking pity or mercy
pitiless · cold-blooded · unfeeling · uncaring · unsympathetic · uncharitable · brutal · vicious · harsh · savage
antagonistic
Actively opposed or hostile
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
aggressive · quarrelsome · pugnacious · ornery · contentious · unfriendly · unwelcoming · disagreeable · ill-tempered · surly
mean spiritedkindhearted
Naturally sympathetic and caring
benevolent · compassionate · gentle · tenderhearted · loving
mean spiritedgenerous
Willing to give freely
magnanimous · bighearted · largehearted · liberal · openhanded
mean, spirit, means, meant, meaning, meaningful, meaningless, meanly, meanness