vindictive
pronunciation
How to pronounce vindictive in British English:
UK [vɪnˈdɪktɪv]
How to pronounce vindictive in American English:
US [vɪnˈdɪktɪv]
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- Adjective:
- disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
- showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite
Word Origin
- vindictive (adj.)
- 1610s, "vengeful," from Latin vindicta "revenge" (see vindication) + -ive; or perhaps a shortening of vindicative based on the Latin word. From 1620s as "punitive, retributive," rather than personally vengeful or deliberately cruel. Related: Vindictively.
Synonym
Example
- 1. They remind us , once again , that the everyday poisoner is vindictive .
- 2. Late tuesday , oracle chief executive larry ellison fired back , calling h-p 's lawsuit " vindictive . "
- 3. Members of his team believe that tougher rules for business are necessary to cool voter anger that would otherwise result in even more vindictive measures .
- 4. A vindictive sudanese president could easily order out some-or even all-of the united nations peacekeepers who have been trying to protect civilians in darfur since the beginning of 2008 .
- 5. In contrast , chinese intelligence agents steer clear of people who are vindictive , since the agents believe they may become volatile and explosive .