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vindictive
[ vin-dik-tiv ]
adjective
- disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful:
a vindictive person.
Synonyms: unforgiving
Antonyms: forgiving
- proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit:
vindictive rumors.
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
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Derived Forms
- vinˈdictively, adverb
- vinˈdictiveness, noun
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Other Words From
- vin·dic·tive·ly adverb
- vin·dic·tive·ness noun
- un·vin·dic·tive adjective
- un·vin·dic·tive·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of vindictive1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of vindictive1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Sometimes, pointing out the issue will only make the gaslighter double-down — even make them angry, violent or vindictive.
She has corroborating evidence—but not too much evidence because that would indicate she’s vindictive and planned to speak out.
Kempfer also pointed to Putin's KGB background and his penchant for being ruthlessly vindictive against any perceived threat.
Many were included in Snyder’s needlessly vindictive legal filings against his former executive Bruce Allen, amid his feuding with former partners.
Witnesses also described an environment in the governor’s office that was abusive and vindictive, with one of the women who came forward targeted for retaliation through the release of her personnel file, investigators said.
Preening, arrogant, vindictive, and inexorable; awash with cash; corrupt; in bed with corporate America and big finance.
A lady developer was harassed by her vindictive ex-boyfriend.
The double standard of sexualization is hypocritical at best and ineffectively vindictive at worse.
Ever had a petty and vindictive boss, competent only at deflecting blame for his own shortcomings?
One person who could feel vindictive toward Greig, but does not, is Teresa Stanley.
Felton retired from the service with the rank of lieutenant, disgusted and vindictive at having juniors promoted over his head.
Yes, it is vindictive, I know; one does not grow tender towards the enemy at the grave of Ellen Jervis.
What other passion than frenzied pride can render men so ferocious, so vindictive, so devoid of toleration and gentleness?
And I wont have to kill an uncle to do it, either, he added, with a vindictive glance at OLeary as he left the room.
To master with more certainty her understanding, they would render her austere, intolerant, and vindictive.
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Related Words
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More About Vindictive
What does vindictive mean?
Vindictive is usually used to describe someone who’s known for frequently seeking revenge. It can also be used to describe the vengeful actions of such a person.
A person described as vindictive is usually someone who holds a grudge and who always tries to get back at people who they think have wronged them in some way. Vindictive people retaliate against others for any insult or perceived slight. Vindictive people do not let things go.
The word is always used negatively to imply criticism of such people or actions.
Example: I’ve never seen someone so vindictive—he’s obsessed with getting back at everyone who has ever slighted him, even when it happened years ago.
Where does vindictive come from?
The first records of the word vindictive come from the early 1600s. It comes from the Latin vindicta, meaning “revenge,” from the verb vindicāre, “to vindicate.”
A single action can be called vindictive if it’s particularly spiteful. But the word is most commonly used to describe people who show a pattern of seeking revenge for even the slightest slights, even those that were unintended. The retaliation of a vindictive person can come in many forms, but you can be pretty sure that it will come in some form. That’s because vindictive people do not forgive and forget.
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What are some other forms of vindictive?
- vindictively (adverb)
- vindictiveness (noun)
What are some synonyms for vindictive?
What are some words that share a root or word element with vindictive?
What are some words that often get used in discussing vindictive?
How is vindictive used in real life?
Vindictive is always used negatively to criticize someone for being focused on revenge.
At every setback, you have the opportunity to show who you really are:
Do you turn vindictive, and use the opportunity to inflict as much pain as possible?
or
Do you dig deep and act with fairness, compassion and generosity?
True character is forged in the furnace of hardship
— Omar Kassim (@okassim) September 9, 2020
Why are people so vindictive on social media
— Susan (@susaninBA1) September 13, 2020
Some people are vindictive in advance.
They imagine how they'll be wronged and then decide how they will punish those who, thus far, have done nothing to harm them.
And they appear to take great pleasure in administering this premature, imaginary punishment. ( "I'll show them!" )— J. D. Landis (@J_D_Landis) June 17, 2020
Try using vindictive!
Which of the following words does NOT describe someone considered vindictive?
A. forgiving
B. vengeful
C. venomous
D. grudging
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