vindictive

[ vin-dik-tiv ]

adjective

1. disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful:

   a vindictive person.

   Synonyms: unforgiving

   Antonyms: forgiving

2. proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit:

   vindictive rumors.

vindictive

/ vɪnˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

1. disposed to seek vengeance
2. characterized by spite or rancour
3. English law (of damages) in excess of the compensation due to the plaintiff and imposed in punishment of the defendant

Derived Forms

• vinˈdictively, adverb
• vinˈdictiveness, noun

Other Words From

• vin·dic·tive·ly adverb
• vin·dic·tive·ness noun
• un·vin·dic·tive adjective
• un·vin·dic·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindictive¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin vindict(a) “vengeance” + -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindictive¹

C17: from Latin vindicta revenge, from vindicāre to vindicate

Synonym Study

See spiteful.

Example Sentences

She said she fears the vindictive atmosphere Trump has created.

From Los Angeles Times

“They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant.”

From Salon

The notoriously antiabortion Paxton, though never seen, even in archival footage, eventually gets his say, however, with a wielding of power in response to positive rulings that can only be called vindictive.

From Los Angeles Times

Judge Alexander Menary said Brown's actions had been "vindictive, selfish and vengeful" and told her that she had "relished the obvious discomfort" the offending had caused.

From BBC

He’s vindictive, shallow, delusional and increasingly dangerous – but no one seems to care.

From Salon

Related Words

• cruel
• malicious
• merciless
• resentful
• retaliatory
• ruthless
• spiteful
• unforgiving
• vengeful

More About Vindictive

What does vindictive mean?

Vindictive is usually used to describe someone who’s known for frequently seeking revenge. It can also be used to describe the vengeful actions of such a person.

A person described as vindictive is usually someone who holds a grudge and who always tries to get back at people who they think have wronged them in some way. Vindictive people retaliate against others for any insult or perceived slight. Vindictive people do not let things go.

The word is always used negatively to imply criticism of such people or actions.

Example: I’ve never seen someone so vindictive—he’s obsessed with getting back at everyone who has ever slighted him, even when it happened years ago.

Where does vindictive come from?

The first records of the word vindictive come from the early 1600s. It comes from the Latin vindicta, meaning “revenge,” from the verb vindicāre, “to vindicate.”

A single action can be called vindictive if it’s particularly spiteful. But the word is most commonly used to describe people who show a pattern of seeking revenge for even the slightest slights, even those that were unintended. The retaliation of a vindictive person can come in many forms, but you can be pretty sure that it will come in some form. That’s because vindictive people do not forgive and forget.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of vindictive?

• vindictively (adverb)
• vindictiveness (noun)

What are some synonyms for vindictive?

• vengeful
• spiteful
• retaliatory

What are some words that share a root or word element with vindictive? 

 

• vindicate
• vendetta
• revenge
• vengeance

What are some words that often get used in discussing vindictive?

 

• revenge
• vengeance
• grudge
• slight
• wrong
• insult
• petty

How is vindictive used in real life?

Vindictive is always used negatively to criticize someone for being focused on revenge.

At every setback, you have the opportunity to show who you really are:

Do you turn vindictive, and use the opportunity to inflict as much pain as possible?

or

Do you dig deep and act with fairness, compassion and generosity?

True character is forged in the furnace of hardship

— Omar Kassim (@okassim) September 9, 2020

Why are people so vindictive on social media

— Susan (@susaninBA1) September 13, 2020

Some people are vindictive in advance.
They imagine how they'll be wronged and then decide how they will punish those who, thus far, have done nothing to harm them.
And they appear to take great pleasure in administering this premature, imaginary punishment. ( "I'll show them!" )

— J. D. Landis (@J_D_Landis) June 17, 2020

 

 

Try using vindictive!

Which of the following words does NOT describe someone considered vindictive?

A. forgiving
B. vengeful
C. venomous
D. grudging