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gehässig

spiteful, malicious

adjective ge-HES-ikh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Also means

nasty, catty

Usage Note

Gehässig describes mean-spirited pleasure in hurting or denigrating others, often verbally. It is a strong word with a clearly negative moral charge; gehässige Kommentare are spiteful remarks intended to wound rather than merely criticise.

Examples

"Ihre gehässigen Bemerkungen über Kollegen vergifteten die Atmosphäre."

Natural Translation

Her spiteful remarks about colleagues poisoned the atmosphere.

Literal Translation

Her spiteful remarks about colleagues poisoned the atmosphere.

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