vindictive

[vin-dik-tiv]

adjective

1. disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful.

   a vindictive person.

   Synonyms: unforgiving
   Antonyms: forgiving

2. proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit.

   vindictive rumors.

vindictive

/ vɪnˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• vindictively adverb
• vindictiveness noun
• unvindictive adjective
• unvindictively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindictive¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin vindict(a) “vengeance” + -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindictive¹

C17: from Latin vindicta revenge, from vindicāre to _vindicate

Synonym Study

See spiteful.

Example Sentences

“The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Ridiculous," "petty," "vindictive," "weak" are just four of the words I have scribbled into my notebook while listening down the phone to some Labour MPs.

From BBC

Their legal team says ‘it is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver.’

From Los Angeles Times

There was speculation in and around the organization about whether the presence of the federal agents was a form of retaliation by a notoriously vindictive administration.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement to CBS, Pelosi called the move a "vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American dream".

From BBC

Related Words

• cruel 
• malicious 
• merciless 
• resentful 
• retaliatory 
• ruthless 
• spiteful 
• unforgiving 
• vengeful 

When To Use

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.