vengeful

Definitions

venge (revenge, from the same French-routed vindic root as avenge) + -ful (full of) = 'full of the desire for revenge.' Where vindictive (Latin spelling) describes the unforgiving character, vengeful (French spelling) is the more vivid, often literary word for someone burning to repay a wrong.

Example Sentences

• 1.

  A vengeful god punishes the wicked in the old myth.

• 2.

  She gave him a cold, vengeful look across the room.

• 3.

  The film follows a vengeful widow hunting down her husband's killers.