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vindictive Definition

vin·dic·tive (vin diktiv)

adjective

  1. revengeful in spirit; inclined to seek vengeance
  2. said or done in revenge; characterized by vengeance vindictive punishment

Etymology: < L vindicta, revenge, vindication < vindicatus (see vindicate) + -ive

vindictive Related Forms
vin·dic·tively adverb vin·dic·tive·ness noun
vindictive Synonyms

vindictive

modif.

revengeful, retaliatory, unforgiving, implacable, vengeful, unrelenting, resentful, spiteful; see also cruel 1, ruthless 1, 2.

Antonyms kind*, generous, forgiving.

vindictive stresses the unforgiving nature of one who is animated by a desire to get even with another for a wrong or injury vindictive feelings; vengeful and revengeful more directly stress the strong impulsion to action and the actual seeking of vengeance a vengeful, or revengeful, foe; spiteful implies a mean or malicious vindictiveness spiteful gossip

vindictive Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • reason: However, you go far beyond questioning imo, you're very insulting and vindictive for no apparent good reason.

Modifies a noun

  • act: We discussed many things including a rather vindictive act on the part of someone who has recently left my employer's employ.
  • side: As one friend puts it: 'Monty does have a slightly vindictive side.
  • woman: Simply a vindictive young woman or some vengeful phantom from his past?
  • way: I called it a vindictive, mechanical way they withdrew the whip from Len Hurst.
  • spirit: It is the vindictive spirit, the spirit that always demands reparation, that Christ is criticizing.
  • campaign: He accuses her of waging a vindictive campaign against Sonia.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: The word I'd use is demeaning but I'm not vindictive, so I'm not posting the URL.
  • very: The press hound the lovers, the government spin doctors try to suppress all news and Joanna's husband becomes very vindictive.
  • rather: Labor Members have behaved like rather vindictive members of a political party.
  • personally: By all accounts he was a hard drinking, personally vindictive man with a grudge.
  • plain: Go on, be imaginative, or just plain vindictive!
  • even: There were also some allegations of deliberate and even vindictive assaults on at least two of the residents.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: The press hound the lovers, the government spin doctors try to suppress all news and Joanna's husband becomes very vindictive.

Browse dictionary entries near vindictive

  1. vindicatory
  2. vindication
  3. vindicate
  4. vindicable
  5. Vindhya Range
  6. vindaloo
  7. vinculum
  8. vincristine
  9. vincible
  10. Vinci
  1. vindictively
  2. vine
  3. vinedresser
  4. vinegar
  5. vinegarroon
  6. vinegary
  7. Vineland
  8. vinery
  9. vineyard
  10. vingt-et-un