Synonyms

vindictiveness

American

[vin-dik-tiv-nis] / vɪnˈdɪk tɪv nɪs /

noun

a vengeful character or quality; a spirit of revenge.

Grudges, vindictiveness, jealousies, and so on are part of being human, but must be separated from hiring decisions.

Other Word Forms

unvindictiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of vindictiveness

vindictive ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, it would help prevent petty vindictiveness from ruling when lives are at stake.

From Salon • Dec. 30, 2025

“It is not prosecutorial vindictiveness to continue a case after a deal has been rejected,” McCrae writes.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

So outsource that vindictiveness to a towing company that deals with it all the time.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2022

But that vindictiveness seems to retreat — or is it deepening? — when Peter returns from school to visit his mother and, against all odds, begins to forge an odd kinship with his former tormenter.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2021

Which heir was the target of Westing's vindictiveness?

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023