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

When that does happen, however, the murderer gets marked prominently on the map and becomes susceptible to lucrative revenge killings from anyone else on the server. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Hands-on: Fallout 76 lets you bring some company to the Apocalypse," 8 Oct. 2018 But in reality, his Mahdi Army became a central player in the revenge killings, employing death squads in Baghdad and operating prisons far outside the control of the central government. — Washington Post, "Public enemy or savior? An Iraqi city could reveal the true Moqtada al-Sadr," 4 July 2018 But Mr Erdogan’s revenge has been indiscriminate and disproportionate. — The Economist, "Turkey’s president deserves to lose on June 24th," 21 June 2018 If Claude is an underwritten character, his flatness at least serves to underscore Debbie’s feminine dominance in the revenge subplot. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "The Sweet Revenge of Ocean’s 8," 12 June 2018 Junior walk-on guard Jonny David is the only current Wildcat who played in Clark’s last game against UK, but the Buffalo star did not shy away from the revenge angle versus a new-look Kentucky team. — Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, "Buffalo star Wes Clark has history with Kentucky. On Saturday, he's looking for redemption," 16 Mar. 2018 Self added of the revenge motive entering Tuesday’s 8 p.m. tipoff on ESPN2. — Gary Bedore, kansascity, "Jayhawks not dwelling on revenge entering Tuesday’s home game vs. Iowa State," 8 Jan. 2018 The Kremlin’s revenge was swift: Urin’s business was dismantled and Urin jailed for fraud. — Owen Matthews, Newsweek, "The Top Secret Family Life of Vladimir Putin," 19 Aug. 2014 Evolutionary psychologists have determined that societies with strong law enforcement and justice systems can foster the impulse to forgive and even reconcile, while those dominated by chaos and impunity foster resentment and revenge. — Megan Feldman Bettencourt, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Forgiveness Has Been Weaponized Against Women," 25 Sep. 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.