Mean-spiritedness is a negative personality trait that is often described as malicious or spiteful behavior towards others. There are several synonyms for this word, including malevolence, vindictiveness, hostility, cruelty, selfishness, and spitefulness. Malevolence refers to the desire to do harm or evil to others, while vindictiveness means to seek revenge on someone. Hostility is an aggressive attitude towards others, while cruelty refers to causing pain or suffering to others. Selfishness is the concern for one's own interests without regard for others, and spitefulness refers to a desire to harm or annoy others out of spite. These synonyms are often used interchangeably to describe behavior that is characterized by a lack of empathy and concern for others.