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Vindictive vs Vindicate - What's the difference?

vindictive | vindicate |

Vindicate is a related term of vindictive.



In obsolete terms the difference between vindictive and vindicate

is that vindictive is punitive while vindicate is to avenge; to punish.

As an adjective vindictive

is having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.

As a verb vindicate is

to clear from an accusation, suspicion or criticism.

vindictive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having a tendency to seek revenge when , vengeful.
  • * {{quote-book
  • , year=1920 , author=D. H. Lawrence , title=Women in Love , chapter=18 citation , passage=The vindictive mockery in her voice made his brain quiver.}}
  • * {{quote-book
  • , year=1933 , author=H. G. Wells , title=The Shape of Things to Come citation , passage=The victors will exact vindictive penalties and the losers of course will undertake to pay, but none of them realizes that money is going to do the most extraordinary things to them when they begin upon that.}}
  • (obsolete) punitive
  • Synonyms

    * vengeful, revengeful, nasty * See also

    Derived terms

    * vindictively * vindictiveness

    vindicate

    English

    Verb

  • To clear from an accusation, suspicion or criticism.
  • to vindicate someone's honor
  • To justify by providing evidence.
  • to vindicate a right, claim or title
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=June 19 , author=Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Ukraine , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The Ukrainians immediately demanded a goal and their claims were vindicated as replays showed the ball crossed the line before Terry's intervention.}}
  • To maintain or defend a cause against opposition.
  • to vindicate the rights of labor movement in developing countries
  • To provide justification for.
  • The violent history of the suspect vindicated the use of force by the police.
  • To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
  • (obsolete) To liberate; to set free; to deliver.
  • (obsolete) To avenge; to punish
  • A war to vindicate infidelity.