mean-spirited

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He wrote a letter to the local paper, calling Wisor “slanderous, mean-spirited and extraordinarily unprofessional.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

"I'd like to apologise for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American crowd at Bethpage," said 76-year-old Watson.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Divorce makes for good drama in any era, but vintage society’s unspoken rules about shunning divorced women seem simultaneously silly, bizarre and mean-spirited.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

Decorum is no longer required, and mean-spirited name-calling is no longer discouraged.

From Slate • Dec. 11, 2024

“He speaks for a lot of men, Polly. I’m not saying there are many as mean-spirited as he is—thank heaven. But there are hundreds—thousands—who don’t believe in ‘book sailing.’

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham