revenge

verb

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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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Synonyms for revenge

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

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 For others, however, the fighting means something besides grief and anger, or even revenge. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, "War uprooted them. Now it gives these Azerbaijanis hope," 9 Nov. 2020 Conservative orthodoxy was unceremoniously discarded to accommodate whatever Trump impulsively and self-interestedly needed in the moment -- adoration, self-preservation, even revenge. — CNN, "Opinion: The Republican Party has a tough choice to make," 21 Aug. 2020 In the messages, which were left in June 2018, Mr. Bayon alluded to revenge against the prominent Republicans over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, according to court filings. — Johnny Diaz, New York Times, "Man Who Threatened to ‘Put a Bullet’ in Ilhan Omar Is Sentenced to a Year in Prison," 10 Mar. 2020 Hong Kongers also marked the student’s death with vigils over the weekend, and are calling upon one another to revenge his death. — Tripti Lahiri, Quartz, "Hong Kong police shoot more protesters in a city still grieving a protest death," 10 Nov. 2019 Falsely accused of a crime and shipped off to a convict colony in Australia, barber Sweeney returns to 19th-century London determined to be revenged on those who did him wrong — costing him his wife and daughter. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "In CFCArts’ ‘Sweeney Todd,’ David Lowe winningly serves up vengeance | Review," 20 Oct. 2019 Others are exposed to revenge attacks from embittered neighbours or Syria’s many unruly militias. — The Economist, "Politicians are stoking anti-refugee sentiment in Lebanon," 22 Aug. 2019 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 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Brady plots his revenge, leading patriots to three more championships, achieving deity-like status signified by mythic comparisons of him to a mountaintop goat. — Bill Pennington, New York Times, "Madonna? Harry Potter? Churchill? Tom Brady May Be Beyond Compare," 3 Feb. 2021 The show takes a turn after the admired judge learns the motorcyclist young man is the son of a local mob boss, who won’t wait for the legal system to extract his revenge. — Lauren Hill, chicagotribune.com, "What we’re watching: From ‘Walker’ reboot to Brit hit ‘The Sister’," 22 Jan. 2021 Reagan chief of staff Don Regan, who was fired in part because of his feud with Ronald Reagan’s wife, Nancy, got his revenge by revealing in his memoir that Nancy Reagan based key White House scheduling decisions on astrology. — Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner, "Baggage check," 21 Jan. 2021 Tennessee got its revenge when the Titans traveled to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson and the 14-2 Ravens. — Tim Bielik, cleveland, "Can the Browns beat the Chiefs? No. 1 seeds have lost 30% of playoff games after a bye week since 1995," 13 Jan. 2021 Gibson got his revenge the next night in Hamilton, Ontario, hitting a home run over the center field fence. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Negro Leagues veteran Ron Teasley on MLB's 'wonderful gesture,' Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson," 27 Dec. 2020 Carey Mulligan gives a searing performance as a woman in an emotional freefall looking to have her revenge on men who wronged her, her friend and, preemptively, others. — Mark Olsen Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Indie Focus: Candy-colored revenge in ‘Promising Young Woman’," 24 Dec. 2020 When the teams met two weeks ago in Baton Rouge, Saban extracted his revenge with an ugly 55-17 beatdown. — Paul Newberry, ajc, "Column: Alabama's Nick Saban is Coach Killer of the SEC," 18 Dec. 2020 D'Andre Swift might have to wait until next season to get his revenge on the Chicago Bears. — Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions injury update: D'Andre Swift downgraded to doubtful vs. Bears," 5 Dec. 2020

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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Cite this Entry

“Revenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge. Accessed 26 Feb. 2021.

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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.

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