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Vengeful, revengeful and vindictive - for native English speakers
Is there any difference to you between “vengeful”, “revengeful” and “vindictive”?
For instance in sentences like these:
He is a vindictive person.
He is a vengeful person.
He is a revengeful person.
Thanks for your help!
Mar 25, 2017 10:34 AM
Answers · 4
1
"Revengeful" is not a word I've seen or heard in use - I was surprised to find itin the dictionary when I looked it up just now.
My understanding is that "vindictive" indicates a tendency to seek retribution for small slights:
- He was a petty and vindictive person, retaliating for every real or imagined slight.
"Vengeful" usually refers to a much stronger feeling inspired by much larger event(s) -
- Propelled by her vengeful wrath, she sued the huge corporation responsible for her husband's death.
March 26, 2017
1
They are all the same. They all mean 'having the desire for revenge'. However, I have never used the word 'revengeful' and rarely hear it. Vengeful and vindictive are more common. If I was talking about a small act of revenge, perhaps among neighbours, I would probably use the word vindictive. Vengeful feels like a stronger word for more dangerous situations.
March 25, 2017
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