vindictiveness

noun

Definition of vindictivenessnext
as in hatred

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 vindictiveness Last month, Judge Crenshaw concluded that while there was insufficient evidence to prove actual vindictiveness, the government could not justify its sudden shift from wanting to deport Abrego Garcia to prosecuting him. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 22 June 2026 In less capable hands, her bitchiness, her vanity, her vindictiveness would have made her one-dimensional. — Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 Benching him on Thursday wouldn’t have been an act of vindictiveness, just as playing him wasn’t an act of mercy. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 When circumstances create a realistic likelihood of vindictiveness, the burden shifts to the government to justify its conduct. — Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025 Johnson says Comey may be able to argue that he is being prosecuted out of vindictiveness, given the president's remarks. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025 So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictiveness
  1. hatred
  2. virulence
  3. vitriol
  4. alienation
  5. loathing
  6. disaffection
Noun
  • Yet the hatred of Dulles—so absolute in its consensus—reminds me of other ways in which our culture has hardened.
    — Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Please try to keep your red-state hatreds and prejudices confined within your borders, and leave the rest of us in peace.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Firefighters and authorities in both European countries were caught off guard by the virulence of the fires, which were fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The virulence of the French and Spanish wildfires, fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change, caught fire crews and authorities off guard.
    — Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of virulence
Noun
  • The vitriol directed at ownership and the corner offices at Paycor Stadium hit new levels last offseason.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • Athletes traditionally encounter vitriol on social media, but a limited number of fans took it much too far with Herro.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of vitriol
Noun
  • How could an alienation of affection case affect Jen Hamilton’s divorce?
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • This after many years of alienation between the two countries and Armenia’s newfound detente with Turkey.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of alienation
Noun
  • The dangers of turning insecurity into daily ritual For 20-year-old Kat, from New York, attempting to manifest appearance changes only worsened her self-loathing.
    — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026
  • There’s a queasiness to her self-loathing that feels especially potent to the teenage experience.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of loathing
Noun
  • Such growing disaffection is not a one-way street, with American approval of Britain dropping by 15% in the past five years.
    — Garret Martin, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
  • But as each new generation gets further away from the novel’s original milieu and the image of Holden Caulfield has become shorthand for privileged disaffection, its necessity in curricula has been questioned.
    — Adam Messinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of disaffection

Browse Nearby Words

vindictively
vindictiveness
vinegar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vindictiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictiveness. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All