vindictive

/vin'diktiv/

Thân thiện

A vindictive neighbor secretly poisoned the flowers in the garden.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge: Describes a person who is inclined to seek vengeance for real or perceived wrongs.
   • Proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: Describes actions, attitudes, or punishments that are intended to inflict harm as retaliation rather than for justice or correction.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • After the argument, he became vindictive and spread malicious rumors about her.
  • The judge warned against imposing a vindictive sentence motivated by anger rather than the law.
  • Her vindictive nature made it difficult for her to forgive even minor slights.

Advanced Usage

• "to be vindictive towards someone": To harbor and act on vengeful feelings against a specific person.
  • He was vindictive towards his former business partner for years after their falling out.
• Used to describe systemic or institutional actions:
  • Critics argued the policy was vindictive, designed to punish rather than rehabilitate.

Variants and Related Words

• Vindictively (adverb): In a revengeful manner.
  • He acted vindictively to ruin their plans.
• Vindictiveness (noun): The quality or state of being vindictive.
  • Her actions were driven by pure vindictiveness.

Synonyms

• Spiteful: Showing or caused by malice.
• Revengeful: Eager for revenge.
• Vengeful: Seeking to harm someone in return for a perceived injury.
• Malicious: Intending to do harm.

Antonyms

• Forgiving: Willing to pardon an offense or overlook a mistake.
• Merciful: Showing compassion or forgiveness.
• Benevolent: Well-meaning and kindly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• With a vindictive streak: Having a tendency toward vengeful behavior.
  • Beneath his charming exterior, he had a vindictive streak.
• Vindictive prosecution: (Legal term) The act of pressing criminal charges primarily out of a desire for retaliation rather than public interest.
  • The defense claimed the case was a clear example of vindictive prosecution.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. 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
2. disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
   • more vindictive than jealous love- Shakespeare
   • punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature- M.R.Cohen

Từ đồng nghĩa

• despiteful
• spiteful
• revengeful
• vengeful