WorldAugust 18, 2026

vindictiveness

vin-DIK-tiv-nes

Definition

The quality of having a strong desire for revenge or acting out of a desire to punish someone for their actions.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'vindicta,' meaning revenge or punishment, combined with the suffix '-ive' and the noun-forming suffix '-ness'. It entered English in the 17th century to describe a vengeful spirit or disposition.

In the news

Judge Crenshaw used this term to describe the Trump administration's decision to revive old criminal charges against Abrego, suggesting the prosecution was a retaliatory response to his successful lawsuit against the government.

Trump administration appeals dismissal of criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Read the full article ↗

Tennessee Lookout

Related words

collaborationist

A person who cooperates traitorously with an enemy occupying force or an invading power…

World

confiscation

The legal seizure of private property by a government or judicial authority as a penalty…

World

garnishee

A third party who holds money or property belonging to a judgment debtor, or a legal…

World

garnishor

The party in a legal proceeding, specifically a judgment creditor, who initiates a…

World

heptathlon

A track and field athletic competition for women consisting of seven different events.

World

overreach

An act of exceeding one's proper authority, power, or jurisdiction, especially by…

World

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.