Vindictive
adj
adj ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.
"Lord Avonleigh was an angry rather than a vindictive man. Vindictiveness requires more energy of character than he possessed. Indeed, it may be questioned whether he would of himself have taken the violent measures of the preceding evening."
- 2 Punitive. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite wordnet
- 2 disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge wordnet
Example
More examples"He became quite vindictive after his wife left him."
Etymology
From Latin vindicta (“vengeance”) + -ive. Contrast Latin vindicātīvus.