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definitions

vindictive

[ vin-dik-tiv ]
/ vɪnˈdɪk tɪv /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vindictive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person.
proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors.

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RELATED WORDS

brutally, cruelly, maliciously, ruthlessly, venomously

Nearby words

  1. vindicable,
  2. vindicate,
  3. vindication,
  4. vindicative,
  5. vindicatory,
  6. vindictively,
  7. vindictiveness,
  8. vine,
  9. vine cactus,
  10. vine maple

Origin of vindictive

1610–20; < Latin vindict(a) vengeance + -ive
ANTONYMS FOR vindictive
1. forgiving.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR vindictive ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Can be confusedvindicatory vindictive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vindictively

British Dictionary definitions for vindictively

vindictive

/ (vɪnˈdɪktɪv) /

adjective

disposed to seek vengeance
characterized by spite or rancour
English law (of damages) in excess of the compensation due to the plaintiff and imposed in punishment of the defendant
Derived Formsvindictively, adverbvindictiveness, noun

Word Origin for vindictive

C17: from Latin vindicta revenge, from vindicāre to vindicate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for vindictively

vindictive

adj.

1610s, from Latin vindicta "revenge" (see vindication). Related: Vindictively.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper