vindictive
[ vin-dik-tiv ]
/ vɪnˈdɪk tɪv /
Save This Word!
adjective
disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person.
proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of vindictive
First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin vindict(a) “vengeance” + -ive
synonym study for vindictive
1. See spiteful.
OTHER WORDS FROM vindictive
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vindictive
vindicatory, vindictiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use vindictive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for vindictive
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 forms of vindictive
vindictively, adverbvindictiveness, nounWord 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