Vindictively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner that reveals a willingness to seek retribution
2. Acting with a strong urge to repay harm or injury done to oneself
3. Behaving in a way that shows intent to get back at someone for a wrong

Etymology: "Vindictively" is simply "vindictive" with the adverb ending "-ly" attached. "Vindictive" itself comes from the Latin "vindicta," meaning revenge or punishment, which is also the source of the English verb "vindicate," originally meaning to avenge or punish before it came to mean to clear someone of blame. The adverb ending has a longer ancestry: it descends from a Proto-Germanic suffix meaning "body-like" or "form-like," which is related to the word "like" and survives in English as "-ly." Over the centuries the suffix passed through Old English "-līce," then Middle English "-ly," and it became one of the most productive ways of turning adjectives into adverbs. So the meaning of "vindictively" is built from the idea of doing something in the manner of a person who seeks vengeance.

Synonyms: revengefully, spitefully, maliciously

Antonyms: forgivingly, unselfishly, compassionately