Vengeful: meaning, definitions and examples

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Word	Description / Examples
vengeful	Used to describe a person or action that is aimed at seeking revenge, often with intense passion or spite. Usually used in a serious or dramatic context. She was vengeful, determined to make him pay for his betrayal. The vengeful villain plotted its course of retaliation.
retributive	Often used in a moral, philosophical, or legal context to describe punishment that is deemed just and deserved as a response to wrongdoing. Many believe that the punishment should be retributive and fit the crime. Retributive justice aims to balance the scales for the harmed party.
revengeful	Similar to 'vengeful', but typically has a more negative connotation and implies a persistent desire for revenge, often accompanying a sense of bitterness. His revengeful nature made it difficult for him to forgive and forget. She harbored revengeful thoughts for years after the incident.
vindictive	Used to describe a person who has an intense desire to seek revenge, often over small matters or perceived slights, and is usually considered negative. He was a vindictive man who never let go of a grudge. Her vindictive actions caused significant distress to her coworkers.
retaliatory	Typically used in a formal or neutral context to describe actions taken in response to an injury or attack, often in a legal or strategic sense. The country launched a retaliatory strike after the unexpected attack. He faced retaliatory actions for his whistleblowing.

Definition