vindictiveness

Meanings

• noun

  A feeling of desire to harm or punish someone, often because of a perceived injustice.

  - "His vindictiveness towards his former employer led him to sabotage the company's projects."
  - "She was surprised by his vindictiveness, as he had always seemed so kind and forgiving."

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with vindictiveness
vengefulness , pettiness , maliciousness

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Variants

List of all variants of vindictiveness that leads to same result
vindictive , vindictively , vindictiveness , vindictivenesses

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Latin word 'vindicare', meaning 'to clear of a charge' or 'to take revenge'. The modern sense of 'vindictiveness' developed in the 16th century.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'vindictiveness' contains the Latin root 'vindic-', which is also found in the words 'vindicate' and 'vindication'.

2. In some cultures, it is believed that being vindictive can actually be harmful to one's own health and wellbeing.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. revenge: The desire to harm or hurt someone in response to a perceived wrong or injustice. Vindictiveness is a more extreme form of revenge, often motivated by a desire to cause harm beyond what is necessary to right a wrong.

2. malice: A feeling of spite or desire to harm someone. Vindictiveness goes beyond mere malice, as it involves a more deliberate and prolonged desire to cause harm.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. Well, maybe actually waging vendettas is a bad idea, but to be known for your vindictiveness can be a great advantage, for then people will take care not to cross you. And maybe the surest way of acquiring a reputation for vindictiveness is actually to be "vindictive".

   - David Papineau,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},11 May 1997

2. It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and "vindictive".

   - W. Somerset Maugham,{it}The Moon and Sixpence{/it},1919

3. In observing so long a silence I have been influenced much more by a "vindictive" purpose,—a purpose to punish you for your suspicion that I could possibly feel myself hurt or offended by any critical suggestion of yours …

   - William Cowper,26 Feb. 1791,{"source"=>"in {it}William Cowper's Letters{/it}, Edward Verrall Lucas, editor", "aqdate"=>"1924"}

4. And though his [John Simon's] caustic wit can sometimes sound more personally "vindictive" than objectively critical, it allows him to plow through a lot of literary pretentiousness.

   - Andrea Barnet,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},19 Mar. 1989

5. The bear, seen in many aspects as humanlike, was subject to ambivalent attitudes: mainly, he was seen as a stand-in for benevolent supernaturals, but sometimes also as a dangerous and at times a "vindictive" and harmful one.

   - William W. Fitzhugh & Aron Crowell,{it}Crossroads of Continents{/it},1988

6. A machine gun lashed at him from across the river.  … In the darkness, it spat a "vindictive" white light like an acetylene torch, and its sound was terrifying.

   - Norman Mailer,{it}The Naked and the Dead{/it},1948

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Vindictiveness is a common theme in literature and art, often portrayed as a negative character trait. In Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet', the character of Claudius is described as vindictive for his role in the murder of Hamlet's father.

How to Memorize "vindictiveness"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person with a scowl on their face, clenched fists, and a determined look in their eyes. Imagine them plotting and planning ways to harm someone who has wronged them.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'vindictiveness' with the word 'revenge'. Remember that vindictiveness is a more extreme form of revenge, with a greater desire to cause harm.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering the phrase 'Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord, but not for the vindictive'.

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