Understanding the source of these words:
Vindictive is from Latin vindicta "revenge." The related Latin verb vindicare has the very different meaning "to defend or clear someone from guilt," and this is the source of the English verb vindicate.
Vindicate
Synonym: Justify, Defend
Meaning: to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion or doubt with supporting arguments or proofs.
For example,
- Our society permits people to sue for libel so that they may vindicate their reputations.
- He denied the allegations and said he would be vindicated in the end.
- They said they welcomed the trial as a chance to vindicate themselves.
Vindictive
Synonym: Justify, Defend
Meaning: adj, disposed to seek revenge; revengeful; marked by or resulting from a desire to hurt; spiteful.
For example,
- It is no fun hanging out with vindictive people, who are forever out to get back at people they think have hurt them. If you forget to say hello to them on day in the hall, they will carry a grudge against you into next week.
- This are vindictive rumours show a spirit full of revenge
- Ian was an angry, bitter, vindictive person, with little thought about how his actions impinge on others.
- Punishments were more vindictive in nature.
- Snakes are very vindictive when people mess up with them.
Read more:
- Vocabulary.com
- Wordnik
No comments:
Post a Comment