vindictiveness

American  

[vin-dik-tiv-nis] / vɪnˈdɪk tɪv nɪs /

noun

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• unvindictiveness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vindictiveness

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

Explanation

Vindictiveness is a strong desire to get back at someone. People who hold grudges and seek revenge are full of vindictiveness. If someone steps on your toe, and you put on boots to stomp back, you’re full of vindictiveness. Use the noun vindictiveness to describe the need for vengeance, or the urge to retaliate against someone who's done you wrong. If you can’t let go of the anger that comes from being mistreated or hurt and you’re plotting revenge, you’re full vindictiveness. At the heart of vindictiveness is the Latin root word vindicta, which means "revenge."

Example Sentences

Vindictiveness is not one of Hubert Humphrey's vices.

From Time Magazine Archive

Vindictiveness on the part of a man so simple and generous, so fair and noble in all his dealings as Thomas Newcome, appeared in my mind unworthy of him.

From The Newcomes Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family by Thackeray, William Makepeace

Vindictiveness, or a moral conviction of the duty of stamping out heresy, alone can make the proceedings intelligible.

From England under the Tudors by Innes, Arthur D. (Arthur Donald)

Vindictiveness, extremist theories and demagogism ought to have no place in arriving at that estimate.

From Right Above Race by Kahn, Otto Hermann

Vindictiveness was about her and her tone was bitter.

From Bruce of the Circle A by Titus, Harold