Vindictive

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /vɪnˈdɪk.tɪv/

Origin

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

Full definition of vindictive

Adjective

1. Having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.
• 1920, D. H. Lawrence, Women in Love Chapter 18, The vindictive mockery in her voice made his brain quiver.
• 1933, H. G. Wells, The Shape of Things to Come, The victors will exact vindictive penalties and the losers of course will undertake to pay, but none of them realizes that money is going to do the most extraordinary things to them when they begin upon that.
2. (obsolete) punitive

Synonyms

• vengeful, revengeful, nasty

Derived terms

• vindictively
• vindictiveness

Related terms

• vindicate
• vindication
• vindicator