revenge

1 of 2

verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj How to pronounce revenge (audio)
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
revenger noun

revenge

2 of 2

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

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
Lincoln-Way West 12-3 (4) Connor Studer lifts Warriors to revenge win over Plainfield North, fifth place at Tiger Classic. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023 On the day of the wedding, Pap’s ghost arrives, under a gingham tablecloth, to pin the crime on Rev and spur Juicy to revenge. Jesse Green, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023 What a leaker or whistleblower’s motivation is varies from altruism and transparency to revenge and ruin. Anne Marie Malecha, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 Call it revenge inflation spending. Rachel Wolfe, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2023 How will revenge glamour be best served? Leena Kim, Town & Country, 19 Apr. 2021 Can Dak lead the Cowboys to revenge and secure a divisional round spot? Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2023 At the back of the book, the index provides a space for reference—and sometimes revenge. Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 11 Feb. 2022
Noun
Both sides have done horrible things in the name of self-defense and revenge. Landon Block, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Narcissistic women were also more likely than men to engage in this form of romantic revenge. Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 The Ukrainian defense intelligence unit described the bomb attack on Saturday in the occupied city of Melitopol in the south of the country as an act of revenge and said that at least three Russian national guard officers were killed. Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023 When the now-famous ex-boyfriend of two 18-year-old girls invites both of them onto a teen reality show, one is set on revenge and the other is open to rekindling the flame. Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023 Bridgewater’s technology team noticed an unusual slowdown in the company’s computer networks and suspected that Chinese hackers might be aiming a cyberattack at the firm in revenge. Rob Copeland, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2023 And not only is Violet his chance for revenge, but the mother has just taken that chance away from him. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 Fiona sets out on an all-consuming journey of revenge after headteacher Marissa expels her son for getting too close to her daughter. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023 It cannot be blundered through because of public pressure or a desire for revenge. Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revenge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near revenge

Cite this Entry

“Revenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

revenge

1 of 2 verb
re·​venge ri-ˈvenj How to pronounce revenge (audio)
revenged; revenging
1
: to get even for a wrong done
revenge myself on my enemies
2
: to give injury in return for
revenge an insult
revenger noun

revenge

2 of 2 noun
1
: a desire to pay back injury for injury
2
: an act or instance of revenging
3
: a chance for getting satisfaction
revengeful
-fəl
adjective
revengefully
-fə-lē
adverb
revengefulness noun

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