revenge

verb

re·venge | \ ri-ˈvenj

revenged; revenging

Definition of revenge

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to avenge (oneself or another) usually by retaliating in kind or degree

2 : to inflict injury in return for revenge an insult

revenge

noun

Definition of revenge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a desire for vengeance or retribution motivated by revenge

2 : an act or instance of retaliating in order to get even plotted her revenge

3 : an opportunity for getting satisfaction sought revenge through a rematch

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Examples of revenge in a Sentence

Verb

a man who took matters into his own hands and revenged the death of his brother

Noun

She swore that she would have her revenge. She wants revenge against her enemies. The bombing was in revenge for the assassination of their leader. The team is seeking revenge for the loss earlier in the season.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Lovren was part of Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool squad that lost both home and away legs to Real Madrid in the group stages back in 14/15, and hopes to revenge past results by winning the biggest trophy in club football. — SI.com, "Liverpool Defender Dejan Lovren Reveals Letter He Wrote Himself as a Child Ahead of UCL Final," 23 May 2018 If the Buckeyes want to revenge its 31-point loss a week ago to Iowa, however, the team may be doing so without two of its linebackers, Jerome Baker and Dante Booker. — Kevin Cunningham, ajc, "Ohio State linebackers Jerome Baker, Dante Booker currently game-time decisions against Michigan State," 11 Nov. 2017 The Longhorns claimed a tough 47-40 overtime victory in 2013 that was revenged with a 38-20 West Virginia triumph two years later. — Tim Griffin Diehards, ajc, "Big 12 viewers guide stacked with big, interesting games in Week 12," 12 Nov. 2017 Here are the reflections of a few of the artists and technicians who pitted against one another two bastards, their vast armies and (most powerful of all) their divergent attitudes to power and to revenge. — Daniel D’addario, Time, "The Making of 'Battle of the Bastards,' Game of Thrones's Most Ambitious Episode," 19 June 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Mr Najib insists his prosecution is an act of revenge by his political opponents. — The Economist, "Malaysia’s former prime minister is charged with breach of trust," 5 July 2018 There's a chance that this was also the same way Ben was killed, possibly someone trying to get revenge. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "How Did "The Umbrella Academy"'s Ben / Number Six Die?," 27 Feb. 2019 Or maybe there will be an Asian-American Spider-Man, or an Asian family that lives in a haunted house, or an Asian-American mother turned assassin who’s ready to take revenge on her family’s killers. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Crazy Rich Asians’ crazy rich success could mean more stories about less crazy rich Asian-American people.," 21 Dec. 2018 Denker tries to take advantage of the new footman but Thomas steps in to get revenge. — Tom Fitzgerald And Lorenzo Marquez, Town & Country, "The 10 Best Downton Abbey Episodes," 12 Sep. 2018 Chapter 3: The Kim–Drake rumor Compounding this intricate Shakespearean drama: enter a viral fan theory that Drake, as a form of ultimate revenge, has been having an affair with Kim Kardashian West. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "What’s Going On Between Kanye West and Drake? Well, It’s Complicated," 5 Sep. 2018 There's always some element of revenge involved when these teams meet. — Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star, "What you need to know about Colts vs. Patriots," 12 July 2018 Ayton exacted a measure of revenge Monday night, leading the Phoenix Suns over Bamba’s Orlando Magic 71-53 in a summer league game at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. — Josh Robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton shines against Mo Bamba's Orlando Magic," 10 July 2018 Then, early this year, de Blasio seemed to get a small measure of revenge, by kneecapping one of Cuomo’s projects, the Enhanced Station Initiative. — William Finnegan, The New Yorker, "Can Andy Byford Save the Subways?," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'revenge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for revenge

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French revenger, revengier, from re- + venger to avenge — more at vengeance

Noun

Middle French revenge, revenche, from revengier, revenchier to revenge

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Time Traveler for revenge

The first known use of revenge was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for revenge

revenge

noun

English Language Learners Definition of revenge

: the act of doing something to hurt someone because that person did something that hurt you

: the act of defeating an opponent who has defeated you in the past

See the full definition for revenge in the English Language Learners Dictionary

revenge

verb

re·venge | \ ri-ˈvenj

revenged; revenging

Kids Definition of revenge

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to cause harm or injury in return for He'll revenge the insult.

revenge

noun

Kids Definition of revenge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or instance of causing harm or injury in return for a wrong … she would be instrumental in helping the rat work his revenge.— Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

2 : a desire to cause harm or injury in return for a wrong She was motivated by revenge.

3 : a chance for getting satisfaction The team sought revenge through a rematch.