Dictionary Definition
vindictive adj
1 disposed to seek revenge or intended for
revenge; "more vindictive than jealous love"- Shakespeare;
"punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature"- M.R.Cohen
[syn: revengeful,
vengeful]
2 showing malicious ill will and a desire to
hurt; motivated by spite; "a despiteful fiend"; "a truly spiteful
child"; "a vindictive man will look for occasions for resentment"
[syn: despiteful,
spiteful]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
Latin vindicta, 'vengeance'.Adjective
- Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
Translations
- Finnish: kostonhaluinen, kostonhimoinen
- German: rachsüchtig
- Dutch: rancuneus
Synonyms
Derived terms
- vindictively (adverb)
- vindictiveness (noun)