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
That was the Harvey that many people remember — crude, profane and vindictive.
—
Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The voting machine company asked a judge to dismiss foreign bribery charges filed against it last year, alleging a vindictive and selective prosecution.
—Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Defendants face a high bar for successfully proving a prosecution is vindictive.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Both men have a penchant for self-dramatization, are easily insulted and vindictive, and seem absent the gene for humility.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
The voting machine company asked a judge to dismiss foreign bribery charges filed against it last year, alleging a vindictive and selective prosecution.
—Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Defendants face a high bar for successfully proving a prosecution is vindictive.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Both men have a penchant for self-dramatization, are easily insulted and vindictive, and seem absent the gene for humility.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vindictive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictive
Adjective
-
Even his students can be casually cruel to each other, emulating a president that Artie almost cannot fathom.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Baseball is a sport built on failure surrounded by a cruel, cynical business, but this level of irony is almost too rich to digest.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The malicious Iranian regime is our national enemy.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Under President John Adams, the Federalists sought to eradicate French ideological influence by raising the bar to citizenship, lowering the bar to deportation, and criminalizing malicious criticism of the federal government.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now with Killen at the helm, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is embodying the vengeful ex-CIA special operative who is out for blood.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
On the way to save her beloved canine buddy Krypto, the party-hearty but tortured Supergirl teams up with a vengeful youngster (Ruthye Marye Knoll) and a rambunctious intergalactic bounty hunter (Jason Momoa).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The betrayal of Zambada sparked a vicious battle for control of the Sinaloa cartel that has resulted in thousands of deaths.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Back in 2023, he was suspended during the playoffs for a vicious cross-check to the head of Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 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
-
But don’t forget, coming with that agenda were the most wild and hateful type of movements … the Ku Klux Klan.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
An investigation is underway into hateful graffiti in a Long Island neighborhood.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
The race between Jones and Jackson has been incredibly hostile, with both releasing a myriad of attack ads and going after one another in debates.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Middle school is, famously, a time of petty cruelty and small-scale social Darwinism.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Detractors consider this format both mind-numbing and salacious, engineered for immediate gratification and often focused on cast members’ petty personal grievances and rock-bottom moments.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictive. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
