as in cruel
likely to seek revenge
be careful not to annoy the vindictive old woman who lives down the street
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Example Sentences
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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
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The 31-year-old man was charged Wednesday with malicious destruction of property and possessing substances to operate a meth lab.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Court records show that 31-year-old Xin Tong was charged with malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and operating/maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This otherworldly dimension is inhabited by vengeful spirits and demons that seek to infiltrate the world of the living, often resulting in terrifying consequences for those who come across it.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
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With customer demand drying up for luxury EVs, and federal incentives getting axed by vengeful Republicans, Mercedes put its first-generation EVs on ice.—
Andrew J. Hawkins,
The Verge,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Now, is that the same as a soldier betting on the capture of a vicious dictator?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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An investigation is underway into hateful graffiti in a Long Island neighborhood.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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His humor is far more hateful than clever at this point.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On the surface, the 50-year-old multimillionaire head coach of LSU getting petty online on a random Saturday in late April is an odd move.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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The souring of their relationship has at times bordered on the petty and personal.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vindictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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