vendetta

noun

ven·​det·​ta ven-ˈde-tə 

1

: blood feud

2

: an often prolonged series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts or exchange of such acts

waged a personal vendetta against those who opposed his nomination

Did you know?

Vendetta has been getting even in English since the 19th century, when it first was used to refer to feuds between different clans or families. It later extended in meaning to cover acts that are known to feature in feuds of all kinds. English speakers borrowed vendetta, spelling and all, from Italian, in which it means "revenge." It ultimately traces to the Latin verb vindicta, of the same meaning. That Latin word is also in the family tree of many other English terms related to getting even, including avenge, revenge, vengeance, vindicate, and vindictive.

Examples of vendetta in a Sentence

He waged a personal vendetta against his rivals in the Senate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dog Obsessed With Watching TV 'Hates' One Particular Commercial By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter 0 The internet has been left in stitches over a TV-loving dog who has a vendetta against one particular commercial. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Perhaps the original sin is Valya’s, given the burning vendetta that has brought her to the Bene Gesserit, but not before losing her beloved brother to a tragedy the family cannot bring itself to forgive. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024

There’s far more to the legend of Jabbar Muhammad than his vendetta against the Wolverines. —Mat Issa, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Hot on their heels is hulking federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), who has a personal vendetta against Dom. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "retribution, revenge, blood feud," going back to Latin vindicta — more at vindictive

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

vendetta

noun

ven·​det·​ta ven-ˈdet-ə 

1

: a feud between different families

2

: a series of acts marked by bitter hostility and motivated by a desire for revenge

waged a personal vendetta against those who opposed his candidacy