vindictive
adjective
vin·dic·tive
vin-ˈdik-tiv 
2
: intended to cause anguish or hurt : spiteful
vindictively
adverb
vindictiveness
noun
Examples of vindictive in a Sentence
Well, maybe actually waging vendettas is a bad idea, but to be known for your vindictiveness can be a great advantage, for then people will take care not to cross you. And maybe the surest way of acquiring a reputation for vindictiveness is actually to be vindictive.
—
David Papineau, New York Times Book Review, 11 May 1997
And though his [John Simon's] caustic wit can sometimes sound more personally vindictive than objectively critical, it allows him to plow through a lot of literary pretentiousness.
—Andrea Barnet, New York Times Book Review, 19 Mar. 1989
The bear, seen in many aspects as humanlike, was subject to ambivalent attitudes: mainly, he was seen as a stand-in for benevolent supernaturals, but sometimes also as a dangerous and at times a vindictive and harmful one.
—William W. Fitzhugh & Aron Crowell, Crossroads of Continents, 1988
A machine gun lashed at him from across the river. … In the darkness, it spat a vindictive white light like an acetylene torch, and its sound was terrifying.
—Norman Mailer, The Naked and the Dead, 1948
In observing so long a silence I have been influenced much more by a vindictive purpose,—a purpose to punish you for your suspicion that I could possibly feel myself hurt or offended by any critical suggestion of yours …
—William Cowper 26 Feb. 1791,
in William Cowper's Letters, Edward Verrall Lucas, editor, 1924
It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive.
—W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919
be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
David Papineau, New York Times Book Review, 11 May 1997
And though his [John Simon's] caustic wit can sometimes sound more personally vindictive than objectively critical, it allows him to plow through a lot of literary pretentiousness.
—Andrea Barnet, New York Times Book Review, 19 Mar. 1989
The bear, seen in many aspects as humanlike, was subject to ambivalent attitudes: mainly, he was seen as a stand-in for benevolent supernaturals, but sometimes also as a dangerous and at times a vindictive and harmful one.
—William W. Fitzhugh & Aron Crowell, Crossroads of Continents, 1988
A machine gun lashed at him from across the river. … In the darkness, it spat a vindictive white light like an acetylene torch, and its sound was terrifying.
—Norman Mailer, The Naked and the Dead, 1948
In observing so long a silence I have been influenced much more by a vindictive purpose,—a purpose to punish you for your suspicion that I could possibly feel myself hurt or offended by any critical suggestion of yours …
—William Cowper 26 Feb. 1791,
in William Cowper's Letters, Edward Verrall Lucas, editor, 1924
It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive.
—W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919
be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Industry, in large part, examines the particular, even idiosyncratic dynamics between old and new money in the often vindictive world of high finance.
—Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
Many American observers feared that as president, Ruto would prove vindictive, antidemocratic, and transactional, favoring international partners less sensitive to reputational risk than the United States.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2024
Red is the anti-princess living in Wonderland under her mother’s cold and vindictive reign.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 July 2024
The pre-war state-system emerged from the great conflict far more shattered than was apparent in the mood of vindictive triumph embodied in the Peace of Versailles. . . .
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
See all Example Sentences for vindictive 
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2024
Many American observers feared that as president, Ruto would prove vindictive, antidemocratic, and transactional, favoring international partners less sensitive to reputational risk than the United States.
—Michelle Gavin, Foreign Affairs, 23 July 2024
Red is the anti-princess living in Wonderland under her mother’s cold and vindictive reign.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 July 2024
The pre-war state-system emerged from the great conflict far more shattered than was apparent in the mood of vindictive triumph embodied in the Peace of Versailles. . . .
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
See all Example Sentences for vindictive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vindictive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vindictive
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vindictive. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vindictive
adjective
vin·dic·tive
vin-ˈdik-tiv
1
: likely to seek revenge
a vindictive person
2
: intended to cause pain or anguish : spiteful
vindictive remarks
vindictively
adverb
vindictiveness
noun
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