vindictive

vindictive (vɪnˈdɪktɪv)

—*adj*
1.	disposed to seek vengeance
2.	characterized by spite or rancour
3.	English law (of damages) in excess of the compensation due to the plaintiff and imposed in punishment of the defendant

[C17: from Latin vindicta revenge, from vindicāre to vindicate]

vin'dictively

—*adv*

vin'dictiveness

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

vindictive

1610s, from L. vindicta "revenge" (see vindication). Related: Vindictively.

Example sentences

Second, you indicate that you believe the requester has some kind of a

vindictive or malicious motive.

And its pretty vindictive to judge special needs teachers on a test that's

meant to judge average students.

Seemingly vindictive behavior is usually beyond the control of a patient with a

dementia illness.

It all seemed unsportsmanlike, petty, and vindictive.

Use Dictionary.com faster without ads >>

Related Words

spiteful revenge cross malevolence Nysa

revengeful sorehead vendetta vengeful vindicatory

Matching Quote

"What will happen once the authentic mass man takes over, we do not know yet, although it may be a fair guess that he will have more in common with the meticulous, calculated correctness of Himmler than with the hysterical fanaticism of Hitler, will more resemble the stubborn dullness of Molotov than the sensual vindictive cruelty of Stalin."

-Hannah Arendt