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Webster 1913 Edition

Vindictive

Vin-dic′tive

,
Adj.
[For
vindicative
, confused with L.
vindicta
revenge, punishment, fr.
vindicare
to vindicate. Cf.
Vindicative
.]
1.
Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge; revengeful.
I am
vindictive
enough to repel force by force.
Dryden.
2.
Punitive.
[Obs.]
Vindictive damages
.
(Law)
See under
Damage
,
Noun.
–
Vin-dic′tive-ly
,
adv.
–
Vin-dic′tive-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vindictive

VINDIC'TIVE

,
Adj.
Revengeful; given to revenge.
I am vindictive enough to repel force by force.

Definition 2024

vindictive

vindictive

English

Adjective

vindictive ‎(comparative more vindictive, superlative most vindictive)

  1. Having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.
    • 1920, D. H. Lawrence, chapter 18, in Women in Love:
      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

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /vɪnˈdɪk.tɪv/

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