revenge

1 of 3

verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj 

revenged; revenging

transitive verb

1

: to avenge (oneself or another) usually by retaliating in kind or degree

vowed to revenge herself on her betrayer

2

: to inflict injury in return for

revenge an insult

revenger noun

revenge

2 of 3

noun (1)

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

revenger

3 of 3

noun (2)

re·​veng·​er

-jə(r)

plural -s

: one that revenges : avenger

Synonyms of revenge

Verb

• avenge

Noun (1)

• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance

Examples of revenge in a Sentence

Verb

a man who took matters into his own hands and revenged the death of his brother

Noun (1)

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

Noun

What makes the revenge plot so seductive is the buildup more than the act itself. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Early reviews out of the Toronto International Film Festival have not been especially kind to Zack Snyder’s The Last Photograph, a two-hour revenge epic framed like The Searchers but set in South America. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

The Blue Devils, returning point guard Cayden Boozer and again loaded with superstars and future pros, have their chance at revenge as the two blue-bloods meet for just the second time since 2014 on Thanksgiving Eve. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026

But the two schools — and coach — in this week’s revenge match have been involved in some of the most prominent returns. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (1)

Middle French revenge, revenche, from revengier, revenchier to revenge

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revenge

• Montezuma's revenge
• revenge oneself on
• seek revenge for
• take (one's) revenge

Rhymes for revenge

• avenge

Kids Definition

revenge

1 of 2 verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj 

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