Vindictive meaning

vĭn-dĭktĭv
Disposed to seek revenge; revengeful.
adjective
12
2
Marked by or resulting from a desire to hurt; spiteful.
adjective
12
2
Having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged.
adjective
10
1
Revengeful in spirit; inclined to seek vengeance.
adjective
8
4
Said or done in revenge; characterized by vengeance.

Vindictive punishment.

adjective
5
2
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The definition of vindictive is someone who is out for revenge.

An example of vindictive is a person who writes down every mean thing ever said to her in a notebook so she can get back at the people who were unkind.

adjective
2
1

Origin of vindictive

  • From Latin vindicta vengeance from vindex vindic- surety, avenger vindicate

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin vindicta (“vengeance"), from vindico (“claim, vindicate"), from vindex (“defender"), +"Ž -ive.

    From Wiktionary

Vindictive Sentence Examples

  • He's a very vindictive man.

  • The man had a vindictive streak as wide as the valley, no doubt there.

  • Indisputably Charles was cruel, ungenerous and vindictive; yet he seems, at all hazards, strenuously to have endeavoured to do his duty during a period of political and religious transition, and, despite his violence and brutality, possessed many of the qualities of a wise and courageous statesman.

  • Bogdanich is vindictive and you'll pay for your obstinacy, said Kirsten.

  • His face quivered and immediately assumed a vindictive expression.

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Words near vindictive in the Dictionary