vindictive
Holding a grudge
Vindictive describes someone who seeks revenge or holds grudges with unusual persistence.
A vindictive person doesn't just get angry—they nurse resentment and look for opportunities to retaliate: Her vindictive ex-husband fought for sole custody just to hurt her.
The word implies pettiness or disproportionate response, punishment beyond what the offense warranted.
Feeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
simmering · seething · unforgiving · rancorous · harboring · dwelling · stewing · begrudging
Unkind in a petty way
- pettyOf little importance
- cattySlyly spiteful
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
- snideDerisively insinuating
malicious · cruel · vicious · hateful · vitriolic · venomous · sneering · scornful
Meaning to do harm
- ill-willedHarboring hostile intentions
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- evil-mindedHaving harmful intentions
wicked · nefarious · scheming · calculating · devious · insidious · pernicious · destructive
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
reprisal · avenger · nemesis · comeuppance · wrath · retaliatory · tit-for-tat · counterstrike
Showing no leniency
- implacableIncapable of being pacified
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
- pitilessLacking any compassion
ruthless · merciless · hardhearted · cold-blooded · remorseless · inexorable · unyielding · punishing
resentful
Feeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
festering · simmering · seething · unforgiving · rancorous · harboring · dwelling · stewing · begrudging
mean-spirited
Unkind in a petty way
snide · malicious · cruel · vicious · hateful · vitriolic · venomous · sneering · scornful · cutting
malicious
Meaning to do harm
- ill-willedHarboring hostile intentions
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
evil-minded · wicked · nefarious · scheming · calculating · devious · insidious · pernicious · destructive · diabolical
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
payback · reprisal · avenger · nemesis · comeuppance · wrath · retaliatory · tit-for-tat · counterstrike · backlash
unforgiving
Showing no leniency
- implacableIncapable of being pacified
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
pitiless · ruthless · merciless · hardhearted · cold-blooded · remorseless · inexorable · unyielding · punishing · severe
vindictiveforgiving
Inclined to pardon offenses
merciful · magnanimous · relenting · pardoning · clement
vindictivebenevolent
Desiring others' welfare
compassionate · kind · kindhearted · good-hearted · charitable