vin ‧ dic ‧ tive /vɪnˈdɪktɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: vindicta 'revenge' , from vindicare ; ⇨ ↑ vindicate ]
unreasonably cruel and unfair towards someone who has harmed you:
a bitter and vindictive old man
—vindictively adverb
—vindictiveness noun [uncountable]