Petty vs. Spiteful: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Petty means small, trivial, or unimportant, often in behavior. Spiteful implies having or showing a desire to harm, annoy, or offend someone.
Key Differences
Petty is used to describe actions or concerns that are trivial or of little importance, often highlighting an unnecessary focus on minor details. Spiteful, however, carries a stronger connotation of malice, referring to behavior intended to hurt or offend others.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
While petty behavior can be annoying due to its focus on insignificant matters, it doesn't necessarily involve malice. In contrast, spiteful actions are driven by a desire to cause distress or harm, revealing a more harmful intent.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Petty issues or disputes often arise from minor misunderstandings or overemphasis on trivial matters. Spiteful actions, on the other hand, stem from a deeper sense of bitterness or resentment, aimed at causing discomfort or pain to others.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Being petty is often seen as being unnecessarily concerned with small matters, sometimes resulting from pettiness or small-mindedness. Spitefulness is characterized by a deliberate intention to harm or degrade, often as a response to perceived wrongs.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Petty behavior might involve nitpicking or being overly concerned with unimportant details. Spiteful behavior, conversely, involves acts of revenge or hostility, often disproportionate to the perceived offense.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Degree of Intention
Often unintentional or subconscious
Deliberate, intentional
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Petty and Spiteful Definitions
Petty
Of little significance or importance.
Their argument was over something petty.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Spiteful
Showing a desire to harm, annoy, or offend.
His comments were deliberately spiteful.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Petty
Minor or insignificant in scale or scope.
The issue was petty compared to the bigger picture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Spiteful
Acting with a mean or cruel intent.
He was spiteful in his refusal to help.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Petty
Focused on trivial details.
His attention to petty details was frustrating.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Spiteful
Motivated by a desire to hurt or upset others.
She made a spiteful remark out of jealousy.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Spiteful
Exhibiting malice or ill will.
His actions were spiteful and vindictive.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Petty
Showing an excessive concern with unimportant matters or minor details, especially in a narrow-minded way
Petty partisanship.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Spiteful
Intended to degrade or insult.
The spiteful gossip was hurtful to many.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Spiteful
Filled with, or showing, spite; having a desire to vex, annoy, or injure; malignant; malicious; as, a spiteful person or act.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views; begrudging, selfish, small-minded; also, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns.
Such literature may well be anathema to those who are too docile and petty for their own good.
That corporation is only slightly pettier than they are greedy, and they are overdue to reap the consequences.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Spiteful
Showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite;
A despiteful fiend
A truly spiteful child
A vindictive man will look for occasions for resentment
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
(historical) Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.
Petty cash
Petty officer
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Little; trifling; inconsiderable; also, inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; a petty prince.
Like a petty godI walked about, admired of all.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Inferior in rank or status;
The junior faculty
A lowly corporal
Petty officialdom
A subordinate functionary
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
(informal terms) small and of little importance;
A fiddling sum of money
A footling gesture
Our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war
A little (or small) matter
Mickey Mouse regulations
A dispute over niggling details
Limited to petty enterprises
Piffling efforts
Giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Contemptibly narrow in outlook;
Petty little comments
Disgusted with their small-minded pettiness
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Petty
Concerned with trivial matters.
He was too petty to overlook the small mistake.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Petty
Showing narrow-mindedness or triviality in attitude.
Her petty jealousy was evident in her comments.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can petty behavior be harmful?
While annoying, petty behavior is usually not intentionally harmful.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What makes an action petty?
An action is petty if it's overly concerned with trivial matters.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Do petty actions always involve malice?
No, they are often more about trivialities than malice.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can spitefulness be justified?
It's generally seen as negative, regardless of justification.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is spiteful behavior always deliberate?
Yes, it involves intentional actions to cause harm or distress.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Do spiteful people feel remorse?
This varies; some might feel remorse, while others may not.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is being petty a negative trait?
Yes, it's often viewed negatively as it indicates small-mindedness.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are petty concerns always insignificant?
They might be significant to the person involved but are generally minor.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
How do you deal with petty individuals?
By not engaging in trivial matters and focusing on the bigger picture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can petty disputes be avoided?
Yes, by focusing on more significant issues and not trivialities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
How does spitefulness affect relationships?
It can cause significant damage to personal and professional relationships.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
How to respond to spiteful comments?
By not retaliating with spite and addressing the issue calmly.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can a person be both petty and spiteful?
Yes, though pettiness is about trivialities and spitefulness involves malice.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What motivates spiteful behavior?
Spiteful behavior is motivated by a desire to harm or offend.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can spiteful actions be forgiven?
Forgiveness depends on the severity and impact of the actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is it easy to identify spiteful behavior?
Yes, it's often clear due to its intentional nature to harm.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is spitefulness a learned behavior?
It can be influenced by various factors, including environment and experiences.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can someone be unconsciously spiteful?
Spitefulness usually involves conscious intent.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are petty issues worth addressing?
It depends on the context; sometimes it's better to let them go.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Does society view pettiness positively?
Generally, no; it's seen as a minor and unimportant concern.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
