vindictiveness

noun

Definition of vindictivenessnext
as in hatred

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vindictiveness Manipulation, escalation, flattery and vindictiveness are not the unavoidable price of sounding natural. — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Last month, Judge Crenshaw concluded that while there was insufficient evidence to prove actual vindictiveness, the government could not justify its sudden shift from wanting to deport Abrego Garcia to prosecuting him. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 22 June 2026 In less capable hands, her bitchiness, her vanity, her vindictiveness would have made her one-dimensional. — Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 Benching him on Thursday wouldn’t have been an act of vindictiveness, just as playing him wasn’t an act of mercy. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 When circumstances create a realistic likelihood of vindictiveness, the burden shifts to the government to justify its conduct. — Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025 Johnson says Comey may be able to argue that he is being prosecuted out of vindictiveness, given the president's remarks. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025 So there’s a feeling of vindictiveness and petulance that’s in there, but there’s also a practicality to it, too. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindictiveness
  1. hatred
  2. virulence
  3. vitriol
  4. alienation
  5. loathing
  6. disaffection
Noun
  • The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Firefighters and authorities in both European countries were caught off guard by the virulence of the fires, which were fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The virulence of the French and Spanish wildfires, fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change, caught fire crews and authorities off guard.
    — Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of virulence
Noun
  • Engelbert closed her letter by saying the league would continue working to protect players and personnel, including addressing hate and vitriol directed at players online and on social media.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Engelbert didn't address any of those in her final state-of-the-league speech other than to say that the league needs to continue to support the players against the social media vitriol.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of vitriol
Noun
  • On his latest, Young’s major-key meditations on love and alienation are as winsome as a bay breeze, if occasionally as insubstantial.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Western alienation and grievances against Ottawa date back decades, including to the administrations of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau's father, during the 1970s and 1980s.
    — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of alienation
Noun
  • Adam is being self-loathing, but Lee, who was listening, walks away.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Fear and loathing are running high as Hollywood processes Thursday’s shock firing of Bela Bajaria from her post as Netflix chief content officer.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of loathing
Noun
  • Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, said France is suffering from a crisis of liberal democracy, a crisis of fiscal mismanagement, and a crisis of youth disaffection.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Older liberals see it as an expression of generational disaffection.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaffection

Browse Nearby Words

vindictively
vindictiveness
vinegar
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Cite this Entry

“Vindictiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindictiveness. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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