as in cruel
likely to seek revenge
be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
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Recent Examples of vindictive
There was speculation in and around the organization about whether the presence of the federal agents was a form of retaliation by a notoriously vindictive administration.
—
Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
But truth be told, Los Angeles isn’t the biggest California prize for a vindictive president obsessed with punishing his internal political foes.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Two erratic, vindictive, spotlight-hungry billionaires convinced of their own greatness occupying the White House together?
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
What People Are Saying Jennifer Levi, a senior director at GLAD Law, an LGBTQ legal advocacy group, told Reuters: The directives coming out are vindictive and aggressive.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
But truth be told, Los Angeles isn’t the biggest California prize for a vindictive president obsessed with punishing his internal political foes.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Two erratic, vindictive, spotlight-hungry billionaires convinced of their own greatness occupying the White House together?
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
What People Are Saying Jennifer Levi, a senior director at GLAD Law, an LGBTQ legal advocacy group, told Reuters: The directives coming out are vindictive and aggressive.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictive
Adjective
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In an inordinately cowardly and cruel act, Rubio stayed away from the department that day, ignoring the men and women whose careers and life plans were decimated by his flippant decision-making.—
Lynn Northcutt Vega,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
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A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision from the Ninth Circuit that determined a ban on people sleeping in public was constitutionally cruel and unusual.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Attacks are now surging across the U.S., targeting citizens with malicious texts, emails and popups.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Habba was sued by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation after his arrest during a protest an immigration detention center in Newark on May 9.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Richard’s vengeful ambition and false promises litter the outdoor stage in Sanborn County Park, ultimately reminding everyone that the evils pursued by those in power ultimately come apart at the seams, only the remnants of thick blood left behind.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
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Over two films, Reed faced off against Victor, the pompous and vengeful CEO of Von Doom Industries.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Over time, this can create a vicious cycle where poor sleep and chronic anxiety feed into each other, creating a loop that damages your well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There was a scary moment later in the third quarter when Charlotte’s James Banks III hit Sacramento’s Dylan Cardwell with a vicious elbow to the face.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Fans hoping for a revengeful scoring outburst were left wanting a little more, however, as Dončić — a career 28.6 points per game scorer — added only 10 points over the final three quarters.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
26 Feb. 2025
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Eventually, this revengeful streak will result in loneliness and isolation.—
Nicole Froio,
refinery29.com,
29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Late in the episode, Cartman calls off his suicide attempt after Butters helps convince him that there’s always hope for a return to the world where Cartman’s hateful trollery will again be a minority voice pushing back against the mainstream.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
24 July 2025
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His otherwise incomparable legacy will forever be stained by his hateful remarks about Black people.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Without wanting to trivialize egregious breaches of sovereignty like the invasion of Ukraine, most are undeniably petty.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
25 July 2025
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Shameful to once again put the president's petty interests over the needs of Americans.—
Hollie Silverman
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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