vindictive

[ vin-dik-tiv ]
See synonyms for: vindictivevindictivelyvindictiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person.

  2. proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors.

Origin of vindictive

1
First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin vindict(a) “vengeance” + -ive

synonym study For vindictive

1. See spiteful.

Other words for vindictive

Opposites for vindictive

Other words from vindictive

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

Words that may be confused with vindictive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use vindictive in a sentence

  • "Again, good," exclaimed Maltravers, whose dark eyes flashed vindictively.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng
  • Mrs. Failing, after asserting vindictively that it was impossible to make a living out of literature, was courteously left alone.

    The Longest Journey | E. M. Forster

British Dictionary definitions for vindictive

vindictive

/ (vɪnˈdɪktɪv) /


adjective
  1. disposed to seek vengeance

  2. characterized by spite or rancour

  1. English law (of damages) in excess of the compensation due to the plaintiff and imposed in punishment of the defendant

Origin of vindictive

1
C17: from Latin vindicta revenge, from vindicāre to vindicate

Derived forms of vindictive

  • vindictively, adverb
  • vindictiveness, noun

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