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

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

There have also been a series of attacks on schoolchildren in recent years, generally involving knives or homemade explosives and suspects believed to be carrying out personal vendettas. —Peter Guo, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024

The plot gets far more tangled than that and draws in past vendettas and secret legacies. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024

As the scandal escalates into an international incident, fueled by a luxury giant with a vendetta against LEDU that happens to employ Vincent’s brother Victor (Pierre Deladonchamps), the designer’s departure, voluntary or otherwise, becomes inevitable. —Judy Berman, TIME, 30 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