revenge

play

verb re·venge \ri-ˈvenj\

Definition of revenge

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

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

Origin and Etymology of revenge

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

revenge

noun re·venge

Definition of revenge

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

Also, revenge porn doesn't go over too well in California.

— christie d'zurilla, chicagotribune.com, "Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna throw down (and dirty) on social media", 5 July 2017
The two try to uncover the mystery of the brunette’s identity, while love, jealousy, ambition, seduction, and revenge complicate their efforts.

— The Courier-Journal, "50+ fun things for week of June 29-July 5", 28 June 2017
There may be some non-economic value to the act of revenge against what has been deemed the main perpetrator of periodic odors in northern Milpitas.

— milpitas post editorial, The Mercury News, "Milpitas Post Editorial: City-contracted garbage franchises get shuffled", 22 June 2017
For 20-odd hours you’d been fed a generic tale of revenge, and then suddenly Monolith decided to upend Tolkien’s whole universe and create a (paradoxical) second One Ring.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Hands-on: Middle Earth: Shadow of War gets more creative with Tolkien's universe", 21 June 2017
The 28-42 Padres are in the Windy City, where the reigning World Series champion will be seeking revenge.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres mailbag: Can Franchy Cordero keep it up?", 19 June 2017
That song, the second track on the record, is a time-signature shifting, darkly satirical piece about petty revenge, with visceral disgust at consumerism and social ambition at its core.

— luke o'neil, Esquire, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Leaks?", 16 June 2017
The mixing of family schlock with a revenge thriller is the kind of high-wire act that even a great director would struggle with—

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The Book of Henry Is a Warped Nightmare of a Movie", 15 June 2017
The attack will spark calls for revenge and a display of strength by the government from conservative quarters.

— dina esfandiary, Washington Post, "How Iran fights the Islamic State", 14 June 2017

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 French revenge, revenche, from revengier, revenchier to revenge

NEW!

First Known Use: circa 1547

See Words from the same year

REVENGE Defined for English Language Learners

revenge

noun

Definition of revenge for English Language Learners

: 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

REVENGE Defined for Kids

revenge

play

verb re·venge \ri-ˈvenj\

Definition of revenge for Students

revenged

;

revenging

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

revenge

play

noun re·venge

Definition of revenge for Students

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.