vindictively

adverb

Definition of vindictivelynext
as in invidiously

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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 vindictively Then, Petrova’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss, arguing the government was selectively and vindictively prosecuting her and that was unconstitutional. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Comey has alleged he is being vindictively and selectively prosecuted, which the Justice Department has denied. — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The sponsors are vindictively threatening to punish the people of Colorado for daring to vote and act democratically. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 May 2026 Those familiar with the case say Hernández’s 2024 conviction was not pulled together hastily − or vindictively − by President Joe Biden's Department of Justice. — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025 Both had asked the judges in their respective cases to throw out the charges on the grounds that they were being vindictively prosecuted. — Kevin Breuninger,dan Mangan, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025 Alvarez felt that Ebeling was vindictively holding the incident over his head. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 That doesn't mean judges can't provide oversight of prosecutors, but that's only supposed to occur when there are claims that a prosecutor was pursuing cases discriminatorily or vindictively. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025 The leaker typically disagrees with these changes and, unfortunately, chooses to lash out in the false hope of reversing them—or even worse, vindictively trying to sabotage their organization's leadership. — Troy Batterberry, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictively
  1. caustically
  2. venomously
  3. contemptuously
  4. antagonistically
  5. bitterly
  6. scornfully
  7. obnoxiously
  8. disdainfully
Adverb
  • At the same time, each frame builds upon the last to create a gripping, caustically funny narrative about patriarchy, disempowerment and compliance.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But that caustically independent branding didn't deter Moulton.
    — Jon Keller, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Definition of caustically
Adverb
  • Texas in 2026 is California in the late 1990s, post–Prop 187, or Arizona after state legislators passed a string of venomously anti-immigrant measures in the 2000s.
    — Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In its bleakest moments, the novel suggests that the ordeal of being gay in a venomously bigoted society negates its bounty.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of venomously
Adverb
  • Hazel swung the lamp in her hand and looked contemptuously at Ginny, surrounded by the naturalists and the teachers, who whispered encouragement.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Men sneered contemptuously at them, while teenagers used their names as insults.
    — Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of contemptuously
Adverb
  • Of the 10 countries asked about, only Russia was viewed more antagonistically.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 12 May 2026
Definition of antagonistically
Adverb
  • Landowners and business owners in the Big Bend region, environmentalists and others who’ve opposed the construction project were bitterly disappointed with the court’s decision.
    — Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • By the time September winds down, Hester is on a timetable all her own, out of synch with her family, detached from its cares, paradoxically and bitterly free.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of bitterly
Adverb
  • Those are places where many voters look skeptically, even scornfully, upon big cities and the people who run them.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As if the question arose, thought Leonora scornfully.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of scornfully
Adverb
  • Its error was in suggesting that what politicians so obnoxiously broke could be fixed so quickly.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • If a friend or colleague is suddenly competing with you for attention, or obnoxiously gloating about their accomplishments, remember that you’re allowed to stop participating in the comparison game.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of obnoxiously
Adverb
  • The camera then switches from the chaos of the puppy, to the kitten—who is sitting in a relaxed position, blinking slowly, and staring almost disdainfully at the wriggling puppy.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Bella, in her podcast conversation with Trinny Woodall, recalled that once, at a village post office, a shop assistant disdainfully called her a hippie.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of disdainfully

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Cite this Entry

“Vindictively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictively. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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