(ˈ)vin|diktiv, -tēv also -təv adjective
Etymology: Latin vindicta revenge, vindication (from vindicare to defend, avenge) + English -ive
1.
a.
(1) : having a bitterly vengeful character : disposed to seek revenge
a vindictive man will look for occasions of resentment — James Martineau
(2) : intended for or involving revenge
punishments … essentially vindictive in their nature — M.R.Cohen
b. : characterized by an intent to cause unpleasantness, damage, or pain : nasty , vicious , spiteful
letters … with rather vindictive comments upon the people — Martha T. Stephenson
a priggish and even vindictive poem — Cyril Connolly
2. : intended for or involving retribution : punitive
a vindictive purpose, — a purpose to punish you for your suspicion — William Cowper
Synonyms:
revengeful , vengeful : vindictive applies to a desire to see another suffer or a disposition to revenge oneself for real or imagined wrong or slight, sometimes with implacable malevolence, sometimes with spiteful malice
his dark, handsome, aquiline features were convulsed into a spasm of vindictive hatred, which had set his dead face in a terribly fiendish expression — A. Conan Doyle
the Muses are vindictive virgins, and avenge themselves without mercy on those who weary of their charms — L.P.Smith
revengeful and vengeful suggest truculent readiness to take vengeance on the part of one provoked
the sorrow through the villages spread by triumphant cruelties of vengeful military force and punishments without remorse — William Wordsworth
to some vengeful people the treaty seemed too easy upon Germany; to many liberals it seemed too harsh — Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager
revengeful Nature grudged him the crops which she granted to more liberal husbandmen — W.M.Thackeray