adj

vindictive

vihn-DIHK-tihv

Vindictive (adj) means wanting revenge; inclined to punish or hurt someone who has wronged you. Example: “Her ex turned vindictive after the breakup, spreading rumours about her at work.”

adj

Wanting revenge; inclined to punish or hurt someone who has wronged you.

"Her ex turned vindictive after the breakup, spreading rumours about her at work."

"The manager's vindictive streak made staff afraid to raise complaints."

How to use vindictive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWanting to get back at someone — spiteful and out for revenge.

Common pairings

a vindictive person vindictive behaviour feel vindictive

Word forms

more vindictive comparative, most vindictive superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “vindictive” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her ex turned _____ after the breakup, spreading rumours about her at work.

Etymology

From Latin vindicta, "vengeance," plus the adjective ending -ive.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for vindictive

five give dive live olive drive alive strive derive active arrive native

See all rhymes for vindictive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vindictive” mean?

The word “vindictive” means wanting revenge; inclined to punish or hurt someone who has wronged you. In plain terms, wanting to get back at someone — spiteful and out for revenge.

How do you pronounce “vindictive”?

“Vindictive” is pronounced vihn-DIHK-tihv (/vɪnˈdɪk.tɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “vindictive” in a sentence?

Here is “vindictive” used in a sentence: “Her ex turned vindictive after the breakup, spreading rumours about her at work.”

What part of speech is “vindictive”?

“Vindictive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “vindictive” come from?

The word “vindictive” comes from Latin. From Latin vindicta, "vengeance," plus the adjective ending -ive.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include vindictive:

SAT vocabulary words