as in cruel
likely to seek revenge
be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of vindictive
But his legal team teed up at least one argument expected to be invoked, with defense lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald saying attorneys would argue that the prosecution is vindictive and selective and would ask prosecutors to save communications relevant for that motion.
—
Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But his legal team teed up at least one argument expected to be invoked, with defense lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald saying the defense intended to argue that the prosecution is vindictive and selective and would ask prosecutors to save communications that might be relevant for that motion.
—Michael Kunzelman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
But the occupant of the Oval Office doesn’t want his underlings engaging in self-promotion and vindictive lawsuits.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 28 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
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But his legal team teed up at least one argument expected to be invoked, with defense lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald saying the defense intended to argue that the prosecution is vindictive and selective and would ask prosecutors to save communications that might be relevant for that motion.
—Michael Kunzelman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
But the occupant of the Oval Office doesn’t want his underlings engaging in self-promotion and vindictive lawsuits.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 28 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
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictive
Adjective
-
In Sylvie’s imagination, Nita becomes Anna, a sultry beauty with a cruel streak who has been dating the meek Christophe (Niney) while secretly engaging in an affair with their married boss, Pierre (Cassel).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
The first major climb of any Grand Tour is usually a cruel dose of reality — where teams, having built around a rider over the previous week, suddenly realise those sacrifices might have been in vain.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Celeste team argues that large, heavy drones pose a serious cybersecurity risk, as they could be hijacked and used for harm by malicious hackers.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
That’s not necessarily malicious.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
And, some claim, vengeful Sicilian spirits.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Thewlis will lead the cast playing Trevor, a vengeful and dangerous psychopath who terrorizes a group of homebuyers at the heart of the events.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The story follows a Lebanese family caught in debts and schemes that drag them in a vicious cycle that tests their unity.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
But the score was a costly one since the penalty that sent up the goal — a vicious hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb — knocked Ducks forward Ryan Poehling out of the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the current political climate, especially in Washington — created by the hateful Dems — a ballroom is essential for all members of both parties.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
-
Michael’s hateful words come from a desperate desire not to return home, Moss-Bachrach says.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Women, people of color, and first-generation professionals were too often told their accurate perceptions of hostile environments were merely internal distortions.—
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
Others, like Michael (Doon Mackichan), seem openly hostile.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Set in Gaza in 2007, and following the misadventures of a student (Nader Abd Alhay) and restaurant owner and petty criminal (Majd Eid), the picture premiered in Un Certain Regard last year and won the Best Director prize.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
-
On Monday, the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, a former national police chief who first enforced then President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug crackdowns, in which thousands of mostly petty suspects were killed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictive. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
