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

But his opening did not repeat June’s detailed discussion of a French rap video featuring fires or its explicit description of revenge against society as a motive. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

In the newer episode, the older Darvin travels back in time to assassinate Kirk, plotting his revenge with a bomb implanted in an unfortunate tribble. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026

In a sequence where Murakami imagines Godzilla getting revenge on the United States by attacking New York City, the monster unleashes atomic breath on Manhattan, and the action suddenly switches to slow motion. — James Grebey, Time, 3 Nov. 2026

The golden deer and the Lakshmana rekha When word of Khara’s death reaches his brother Ravana, the demon king vows revenge on Rama and Lakshmana with the assistance of Maricha (a rakshasa). — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 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