revenge

verb re·venge \ ri-ˈvenj \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Examples: revenge in a Sentence

revenged; revenging

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

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revenger

noun

See revenge defined for English-language learners

See revenge defined for kids

Examples of revenge in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of revenge from the Web

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

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.

Origin and Etymology of revenge

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

revenge Synonyms

Synonyms

avenge, redress, requite, retaliate;

Near Antonyms

absolve, condone, excuse, forgive, pardon, remit;

chasten, chastise, correct, discipline;

right;

compensate, pay (back), recompense, repay;

Phrases

get even (for);

revenge

noun

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

See revenge defined for English-language learners

Examples of revenge in a Sentence

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 of revenge from the Web

The Outpost: Jessica Green stars in this sci-fi series from The CW about a young woman who seeks revenge on the creepy group who killed her family. 9 P.M. ET on The CW Wednesday, July 11 Dr. Pimple Popper: Yes, Dr. Sandra Lee has her own TV show.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "9 TV Shows and Movies to Watch This Week When You're Bored of Summer," 8 July 2018
Sweden didn't want to focus on getting revenge by helping eliminate Germany, which got some favorable calls in a tense 2-1 victory over the Swedes on Saturday night.

— kyle hightower, chicagotribune.com, "Sweden blanks Mexico 3-0, but both head to World Cup knockout round," 27 June 2018
The first Dragon Tattoo novel features what is in my eyes a maddeningly long final act, where Blomkvist, having solved the mystery of Harriet Vanger’s disappearance, seeks revenge on a corrupt Swedish billionaire who has sidelined his career.

— alice bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018
In opening statements, defense attorneys suggested her testimony was fabricated in an attempt to get revenge on her ex-husband.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Witness recounts decision to testify against her ex-husband in bribery case," 6 June 2018
To get revenge on Alison for ruining her life, Courtney (pretending to be Alison) ditches Alison's ~popular~ girl gang and becomes BFFs with less-popular Hanna, Spencer, and Aria.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "10 Shocking Differences Between the PLL Books and TV Show," 25 Apr. 2017
But Whishaw also conveys Scott’s desire to be loved, and how his anger at the way Thorpe has treated him is more about sadness than revenge.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Sex, Lies, and Bunnies in A Very English Scandal," 3 July 2018
Internet-connected locks, speakers, thermostats, lights and cameras marketed as the newest conveniences are being used for harassment, revenge and control.

— morning brief, The Seattle Times, "Get lost in Seattle’s map of ‘high weirdness,’ Supreme Court deals blow to labor unions | Wednesday Morning Brief, June 27," 27 June 2018
Cuellar got her shot at revenge less than a week later at the District V tournament.

— tim schwartz, Howard County Times, "Marriotts Ridge junior Veronica Cuellar repeats as girls tennis Player of the Year," 27 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of revenge

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1547

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

revenge Synonyms

Synonyms

payback, reprisal, requital, retaliation, retribution, vengeance;

Near Antonyms

clemency, grace, leniency, lenity, mercy;

forgiveness, pardon, remission;

castigation, chastisement, correction;

desert(s), discipline, nemesis, penalty, punishment, wrath;

REVENGE Defined for English Language Learners

revenge

noun

: 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