spite

Spite is a behavior characterized by a desire to cause pain or distress to others, often stemming from petty ill will, envy, or resentment. It involves actions intended to irritate, annoy, or thwart someone, even at a cost to oneself. This behavior is distinct from malice, which implies a deeper, often unexplainable hatred, or malevolence, which suggests a bitter and persistent hatred likely to manifest in harmful conduct. Spite is typically expressed through small harassments or insults. While it can be a puzzling evolutionary concept, it's theorized to evolve in situations where it might signal status and offer future benefits to the actor.123