How do you use the word "vindictive" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "vindictive": He became quite vindictive after his wife left him. Tom can be very vindictive.

Vindictive Meaning

/vɪnˈdɪk.tɪv/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

adjHaving a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.

adjPunitive.

Sentence Examples

He became quite vindictive after his wife left him.

Tom can be very vindictive.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

malicious

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

After losing the game, the ____ player tried to hurt the winner's reputation.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

He was accused of being ____ after he tried to damage the reputation of a colleague who had disagreed with him today.

Word Origin & History

From Latin vindicta (“vengeance”) + -ive. Contrast Latin vindicātīvus.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Lord Avonleigh was an angry rather than a vindictive man. Vindictiveness requires more energy of character than he possessed. Indeed, it may be questioned whether he would of himself have taken the violent measures of the preceding evening." — 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXXIX, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 326:

"The vindictive mockery in her voice made his brain quiver." — 1920 November 9, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XVIII, in Women in Love, New York, N.Y.: Privately printed [by Thomas Seltzer] for subscribers only, →OCLC:

"The victors will exact vindictive penalties and the losers of course will undertake to pay, but none of them realizes that money is going to do the most extraordinary things to them when they begin upon that." — 1933 September, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “Introduction: The Dream Book of Dr. Philip Raven”, in The Shape of Things to Come, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, →OCLC, page 5:

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