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

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

Jessi’s personal desires and vendetta lead her to kidnap Emilia, to enable her escape with her lover Gustavo. —Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

For her part, Chelsea is fully focused on her feud with Mary, and Bre’s possible vendetta is the furthest thing from her mind. —Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 6 Sep. 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