vindictive
[vin-dik-tiv]
- disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person.
- proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors.
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Origin of vindictive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for vindictive on Thesaurus.com1. unforgiving. See spiteful.
Antonyms
1. forgiving.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for vindictively
Contemporary Examples
London was famously charismatic, but to those closest to him, he could be vindictively cruel.
The governor also sued Madigan and vindictively cut funding for the Illinois Arts Council headed by Madigan's wife.
Historical Examples
"I always said your colonel was a bear," says Miss Massereene, vindictively.
Molly BawnMargaret Wolfe Hamilton
But, it hastens to add, vindictively, 'generally an old or a rude-mannered one.'
The Book-Hunter at HomeP. B. M. Allan
"'Twould have served 'em right to have gone and left 'em," muttered Benham vindictively.
A Waif of the PlainsBret Harte
Nicanor came to hate him vindictively, with no reason at all, as he hated all the world just then.
Nicanor - Teller of TalesC. Bryson Taylor
Lloyd chuckled so vindictively that Symonds glanced at him in surprise.
The Lost DespatchNatalie Sumner Lincoln
vindictive
- 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
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Word Origin
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper