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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vindictive
Act now — the fund expires before another president takes office — and get your just compensation for the acts of a vindictive government.
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Flanagan also directed Comey’s attorneys to file any motions to dismiss and other pretrial challenges by June 5, after defense lawyers previewed plans to argue the case amounts to a selective and vindictive prosecution.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Their beliefs are not vindictive; they are considered.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Others have criticized the White House for taking a vindictive approach and targeting Democratic states that may have larger Medicaid populations and more lenient eligibility requirements.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Flanagan also directed Comey’s attorneys to file any motions to dismiss and other pretrial challenges by June 5, after defense lawyers previewed plans to argue the case amounts to a selective and vindictive prosecution.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Their beliefs are not vindictive; they are considered.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Others have criticized the White House for taking a vindictive approach and targeting Democratic states that may have larger Medicaid populations and more lenient eligibility requirements.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictive
Adjective
-
Passing a child who is unprepared may be the cruelest act of all.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
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This is your news to share or not share; posting about this on Facebook strikes me as cruel.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Tech companies are developing tools and collaborating, yet voluntary efforts struggle against sophisticated malicious actors.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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For cybersecurity companies, identifying a digital agent crawling a website used to be enough evidence of malicious activity.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to prosecutors' opening statements June 10, the wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles' affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood was part of a vengeful plot from a man who resented the wealthy.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
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He’s unexpectedly visited by Little John (Bill Skarsgård), once one of his underage criminal accomplices, and asked to help defend the younger man’s family and homestead from vengeful past foes.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The story follows vicious ex-con, Max Cady (Bardem) and his revenge plot against married couple Tom (Patrick Wilson) and Anna Bowden (Adams).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Mahmic’s vicious goal in traffic salvaged some good feeling before a decisive showdown with Qatar next week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 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
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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
-
On Sunday, June 14, UFC fighter Josh Hokit took the opportunity after his win on the White House lawn to repeat a hateful lie about the former first lady.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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Authorities suspect Mullis placed antisemitic flyers showing hateful symbols such as a noose, a swastika and imagery associated with the German Nazi Party.—
Maveah Griffith
June 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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But if his intention is a quick rate cut, the new chairman might be entering a hostile work environment.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
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French, American, British and other naval crews already have experience of escorting civilian ships through hostile fire in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Instead, Defendants appear to be actively undermining the restoration of the Kennedy Center’s name, in a petty act of defiance.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
20 June 2026
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The two deaths join a long list of other instances of Black Americans dying in interactions with police after accusations of petty criminal offenses.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictive. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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