vindicatory

[ vin-di-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. tending or serving to vindicate.
2. punitive; retributive:

   vindicatory killings.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicatory¹

First recorded in 1640–50; vindicate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

They are seeking symbolic damages of £1 for "vindicatory purposes".

From BBC

Mr Murray, a close friend as well as colleague of PC Fletcher, is only seeking £1 in vindicatory damages.

From BBC

If there seemed to be a spark of indignation, something vindicatory about Piqué's words, he denied that.

From The Guardian

The elegant Logan, 39, coped with a changing cast of celebrity pundits and victorious athletes each night in her Olympic studio and became a twinkling gem in a vindicatory fortnight for women in television.

From The Guardian

My Lord, legism, or jurisprudence, are sufficiently understood to render it indisputable that punishments cannot be vindicatory or retrospective, and less than either, vindictive.

From Project Gutenberg