vendetta
ven-DET-uh
/venˈdetə/
A prolonged feud, often between families, characterized by retaliatory acts.
Implies a long-standing, obsessive, and often irrational cycle of revenge.
The story behind the word. The word entered English from Italian, where it specifically referred to the blood feuds common in Corsica and Sicily. It shares the 'VIND' root with 'vengeance'.
Word relationships
- feud: A general term for a long-standing dispute.
- grudge: A persistent feeling of ill will, usually less active than a vendetta.
- reconciliation: The restoration of friendly relations.
Commonly confused with
- vengeance: 'Vengeance' is the act of getting even; 'vendetta' is the ongoing state of war between two parties.
Collocations
- personal vendetta
- carry out a vendetta
- wage a vendetta
Example sentences
- "The journalist claimed the politician was carrying out a personal vendetta against the newspaper." Journalism
- "The two families had been locked in a bloody vendetta for three generations." Historical fiction
Memory hook
Think of the movie 'V for Vendetta'—it's about a long-planned, systematic revenge against a whole system. A long-term grudge match.
When not to use
Do not use for a single, isolated incident of revenge.
Fun facts
- The concept of 'omertà' (the code of silence) is often associated with traditional Italian vendettas.
Related words
Explore more words
feud, vindictive, vindictiveness, rancor, retributive, rancorous
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