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vindictive - 4 dictionary results

vin⋅dic⋅tive

  [vin-dik-tiv]
Use vindictive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person.
2. proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors.
Origin:
1610–20; < L vindict(a) vengeance + -ive

Related forms:
vin⋅dic⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
vin⋅dic⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. unforgiving. See spiteful.

Antonyms:
1. forgiving.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vindictive
vin·dic·tive   (vĭn-dĭk'tĭv)   
adj.  
  1. Disposed to seek revenge; revengeful.
  2. Marked by or resulting from a desire to hurt; spiteful.

[From Latin vindicta, vengeance, from vindex, vindic-, surety, avenger; see vindicate.]
vin·dic'tive·ly adv., vin·dic'tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Vindictive

Vin*dic"tive\, a. [For vindicative, confused with L. vindicta revenge, punishment, fr. vindicare to vindicate. Cf. Vindicative.]

1. Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge; revengeful.

I am vindictive enough to repel force by force. --Dryden.

2. Punitive. [Obs.]

Vindictive damages. (Law) See under Damage, n. -- Vin*dic"tive*ly, adv. -- Vin*dic"tive*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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vindictive 
1616, from L. vindicta "revenge" (see vindication).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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