Vindictive: Meaning and Synonyms
Vindictive means having or showing a strong and bitter desire for revenge. It suggests a deep-seated resentment and a willingness to inflict harm or punishment on someone who has wronged you.
Here are some other words that have similar meanings to vindictive:
Stronger words:
* Vengeful: Focuses on the desire for revenge itself.
* Spiteful: Highlights the malicious intent behind the act of revenge.
* Malicious: Emphasizes the harmful nature of the revenge.
* Ruthless: Indicates a complete lack of mercy or compassion in seeking revenge.
* Bloodthirsty: Suggests a strong desire for violence and bloodshed.
More neutral words:
* Retaliatory: Implies a response to a previous action, without necessarily indicating malice.
* Punitive: Focuses on the act of punishment, but may not involve a desire for revenge.
* Resentful: Highlights the feeling of anger and bitterness towards the person who wronged you.
* Bitter: Describes the overall feeling of negativity and resentment.
Informal words:
* Out for blood: Suggests a strong desire for revenge.
* Holding a grudge: Implies that someone is still angry and upset about a past wrong.
The specific word you choose will depend on the context and the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.
For example, "vindictive" might be used to describe someone who seeks revenge in a cold and calculated way, while "vengeful" might be used to describe someone who is driven by an intense desire for revenge.
It's important to note that these words have negative connotations and should be used carefully.