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

Other Word Forms

• vindictively adverb
• vindictiveness noun
• unvindictive adjective
• unvindictively 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

A US federal charge ruled on Friday that Mr Garcia's prosecution could be for "vindictive" reasons, and he would hear more evidence before reaching a final decision.

Read more on BBC

“California, I’m sure, won’t be far behind in the kind of vindictive actions of the president,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A sheriff said she had been "nasty, verbally abusive, cruel, vindictive, violent" towards her victims.

Read more on BBC

Never has a president been so vindictive and so small-minded.

Read more on Salon

The immediate capitulation of Disney, one of America’s largest and most revered corporations, is a shocking sign of just how quickly private, independent institutions are melting down under heated threat by a vindictive administration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.