revenge

[ ri-venj ]

verb (used with object)

, re·venged, re·veng·ing.

1. to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit:

   He revenged his murdered brother.

2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge:

   He revenged his brother's murder.

verb (used without object)

, re·venged, re·veng·ing.

1. to take revenge.

noun

1. the act of revenging; retaliation for injuries or wrongs; vengeance.

   Synonyms: requital

2. something done in vengeance.
3. the desire to retaliate; vindictiveness.
4. an opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction.

revenge

/ rɪˈvɛndʒ /

noun

1. the act of retaliating for wrongs or injury received; vengeance
2. something done as a means of vengeance
3. the desire to take vengeance or retaliate
4. a return match, regarded as a loser's opportunity to even the score

verb

1. to inflict equivalent injury or damage for (injury received); retaliate in return for
2. to take vengeance for (oneself or another); avenge

Derived Forms

• reˈvengingly, adverb
• reˈvenging, adjective
• reˈvengeless, adjective
• reˈvenger, noun

Other Words From

• re·vengeless adjective
• re·venger noun
• re·venging·ly adverb
• nonre·venge noun
• nonre·venger noun
• prere·venge noun verb (used with object) prerevenged prerevenging
• unre·venged adjective
• unre·venging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revenge¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revengen (verb), from Middle French, Old French revengier, from re- re- + vengier “to avenge”; avenge

Word History and Origins

Origin of revenge¹

C14: from Old French revenger , from Late Latin revindicāre , from re- + vindicāre to vindicate

Synonym Study

See avenge. Revenge, reprisal, retribution, vengeance suggest a punishment, or injury inflicted in return for one received. Revenge is the carrying out of a bitter desire to injure another for a wrong done to oneself or to those who are felt to be like oneself: to plot revenge. Reprisal, formerly any act of retaliation, is used specifically in warfare for retaliation upon the enemy for its (usually unlawful) actions: to make a raid in reprisal for one by the enemy. Retribution suggests just or deserved punishment, often without personal motives, for some evil done: a just retribution for wickedness. Vengeance is usually wrathful, vindictive, furious revenge: implacable vengeance.

Example Sentences

He denied that his crimes against his wife had been sparked by an inferiority complex or by a desire for revenge for an affair she had in the 1980s.

From BBC

“When it started off, initially, it wasn’t about Feathers McGraw and a revenge film,” says creator and co-director Nick Park, a four-time Oscar winner.

From Los Angeles Times

A man who drove four teenagers on a revenge mission that led to two best friends being murdered has been jailed for life.

From BBC

And right now he appears to be obsessed with setting up the conditions for his revenge on the "Deep State" and the people he believes stabbed him in the back during his first term.

From Salon

When Trump and his crew take the reins again, I expect the machinery of power to run on revenge, to silence those who dissent, to remake this place in a darker image.

From Salon

Related Words

• attack
• reprisal
• retribution
• vengeance

More About Revenge

What does revenge mean?

Revenge is the act or process of retaliating against or punishing someone for some kind of harm that they caused or wrongdoing that they did (whether real or perceived).

It can also refer to the result of such efforts, as in After all this time, I will have revenge against those who have wronged me!

Revenge often involves an attempt to get even by inflicting similar harm to the person who initially harmed the person seeking revenge. Revenge has several other synonyms that each have different shades of meaning, including retribution, retaliation, and reprisal. But more than these words, revenge implies that such retaliation is personal and motivated by a deep anger and perhaps an obsessive desire to get even.

Revenge is often planned out over a period of time—hitting someone back right after they hit you could be referred to as retaliation, but probably wouldn’t be called revenge. An informal synonym is payback—getting someone back for something they did to you, especially after time has passed.

The related word vengeance can be used as an even more intense synonym for revenge, but it also commonly refers to a desire for revenge, as in He was filled with vengeance. 

Less commonly, revenge can be used as a verb meaning to get revenge, as in I will revenge the theft of my sister’s necklace or I will revenge myself for the crimes committed against me. 

The related word avenge is much more commonly used in this way. To avenge is to get revenge or to inflict some form of punishment in retaliation for harm or wrongdoing done by someone else. However, avenge is more associated with justice and doesn’t always imply the same level of anger that revenge does.

The adjective revengeful is used to describe someone who is determined to get revenge or someone who is inclined to seek revenge—someone who is vindictive. A more commonly used synonym is vengeful.

Example: Revenge never ends well, and becoming obsessed with it is like letting your enemy defeat you yet again.

Where does revenge come from?

The first records of the word revenge come from the 1300s. It comes from the Old French revenger, from the Late Latin revindicāre, from the Latin verb vindicāre, meaning “to protect,” “to avenge,” or “to punish.” The words vengeance, avenge, vindicate, and vindictive are all based on the same root. The re- in revenge and synonyms like retribution, retaliation, and reprisal indicates that these things are done in response or reaction to another action.

The word revenge appears in the expression Revenge is a dish best served cold. This means that revenge is more satisfying when it’s inflicted upon someone long after they committed the original wrongdoing, perhaps because it will then be more unexpected. However, there is another saying: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. This suggests that even if you are successful in getting revenge, you will destroy yourself in the process.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to revenge?

• revengeful (adjective)
• revenger (noun)

What are some synonyms for revenge?

• retaliation
• retribution
• reprisal
• payback
• vengeance
• avenge

What are some words that share a root or word element with revenge? 

 

• vengeance
• vengeful
• vindictive
• vindicate

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing revenge?

 

• murder
• anger
• hatred
• seek
• vow
• plot
• sweet

What are some words ø may be commonly confused with?

 

• avenge

 

How is revenge used in real life?

The word revenge is usually used in situations that involve serious wrongdoing, but it’s sometimes used in the context of less serious situations in order to be humorous.

I’m never interested in seeking revenge, I let karma handle that

— 777 (@legend_tallia) November 22, 2020

A gentle reminder: The best revenge is no revenge. Heal. Move on. Find happiness.

— Shondaland Digital (@byshondaland) November 20, 2020

As we approach the end of another year it's important to take stock, reflect, and start plotting your revenge on all those who have wronged you over the last 12 months. pic.twitter.com/7zInpKlQIS

— alistair green (@mralistairgreen) December 16, 2018

 

Try using revenge!

True or False?

The word vengeance can be used as a synonym of revenge.