vindictive
adjective
vin·dic·tive vin-ˈdik-tiv 
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
Hally’s vindictive turn is a betrayal, not just of their bond, but of the dream of a more equitable South Africa that could tolerate a Black man being a mentor to a spoiled, brokenhearted white kid. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Sensing Julia's reluctance to submit brings out the first glimpse of Bateman's vindictive nature. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 That timeline is a key part of the argument Smartmatic laid out in its March 10 filing, which is asking the court to dismiss the charges as amounting to unlawfully vindictive against the company. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 That was the Harvey that many people remember — crude, profane and vindictive. —Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Sensing Julia's reluctance to submit brings out the first glimpse of Bateman's vindictive nature. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 That timeline is a key part of the argument Smartmatic laid out in its March 10 filing, which is asking the court to dismiss the charges as amounting to unlawfully vindictive against the company. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 That was the Harvey that many people remember — crude, profane and vindictive. —Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/vindictive. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
