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 Reluctantly pressed into service again, a former military sniper plots revenge against his powerful foes after being betrayed and wounded. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘An American in Paris’; ‘Ben-Hur’," 26 Mar. 2021 Reluctantly pressed into service again, a former military sniper plots revenge against his powerful foes after being betrayed and wounded. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘My Fair Lady’; ‘Marry Poppins’," 19 Mar. 2021 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 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Credit default swaps in the past engendered a whole different response of revenge. — ABC News, "'This Week' Transcript 4-11-21: Sec. Jennifer Granholm, Sen. Roger Wicker," 11 Apr. 2021 Some critics also suggest the provision is an act of revenge against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who would not abide by Trump's request to overturn the results of the presidential election, according to The New York Times. — Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, "Georgia voting law explained: Here's what to know about the state's new election rules," 10 Apr. 2021 Unfortunately for both men, Rafinesque greatly overstayed his welcome, prompting his hapless host to come up with a masterful plan of revenge. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, "Literature’s Most Curious Creations," 6 Apr. 2021 The Firestarter is a talisman as well as a curse; non-human powers want it, and now Taryn’s sin of revenge has laid her open to attack, and not just from one quarter. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, "Science Fiction: ‘The Absolute Book’ Review," 2 Apr. 2021 To get her son returned safely, the kidnapper demands Bree not contact police and perform acts of revenge on behalf of the old woman as part of a personal vendetta. — Lesley Kennedy, CNN Underscored, "21 of the most anticipated new books to read this April," 1 Apr. 2021 While that game did carry some elements of revenge, its refusal to be cliché in its conclusion initially shocked and disappointed some fans, including myself, who’ve grown to expect cookie-cutter, warm resolutions. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, "Love and divorce in a video game? The innovative and weird ‘It Takes Two’," 26 Mar. 2021 The Badgers got their revenge by spoiling Kentucky's season behind Frank Kaminsky's 20 points and clutch plays down the stretch in a 71-64 win. — Erick Smith, USA Today, "The unbeaten: How perfect teams have fared in the men's tournament since 1976," 3 Apr. 2021 But, later that night, Billy follows Vic home, intent on getting his revenge. — Olivia Truffaut-wong, refinery29.com, "R29 Recaps: Every Episode From The Irregulars Season 1," 30 Mar. 2021

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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Last Updated

4 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Revenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge. Accessed 18 Apr. 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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