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

Despite their ostensibly liberal political beliefs, Silicon Valley’s leaders know intimately that Donald Trump is a vindictive leader who can ruin their lives and businesses at a moment’s notice.

From Slate

What comes next may well be far worse than what came before, including mass deportations and vindictive prosecutions that test the boundaries of executive authority.

From Slate

I can just express what I know a lot of women have been feeling: exhausted sadness that any sliver of joy this campaign season had has been sucked away by a vindictive, babbling old man and his crybaby minions.

From Salon

Throughout his first term, Trump might have worried that launching vindictive targeted prosecutions would land him in legal trouble.

From Slate

She said she fears the vindictive atmosphere Trump has created.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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