vengeful

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
: revengeful: such as
a
: seeking to avenge
b
: serving to gain vengeance
vengefully adverb
vengefulness noun

Examples of vengeful in a Sentence

The robbery was committed by a vengeful former employee. The fire was a vengeful act of destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web The adventure takes many turns, with Chris trying to save his family from Pepper’s vengeful wrath. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023 Like Nicki Minaj, Maude Apatow, Chloe Cherry and Julia Fox: all of whom have emerged on the red carpet looking, some might say, like vengeful 19th-century spinsters. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023 Paras himself used Mirai a couple of times against his old whipping boy, the Rutgers IT department, mostly just for vengeful fun. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 His rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) hires Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), the vengeful son of Tony’s former partner, to build him a line of armored suits. Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 But if the gesture was meant to calm the waters, the mood among both Israelis and Palestinians remained ominously vengeful. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 And just to say it: Even with her diabolical savvy—and all the vengeful persistence of a woman scorned—there was no way Georgina was getting away with blackmailing Serena when the real mother of manipulation was involved…which is to say, Blair. Abrigail Williams, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2023 These subpoenas and interview requests are yet further proof that this sham impeachment inquiry is driven only by the demands of the vengeful and prevaricating Donald Trump. Will Steakin, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2023 At any point before then, authorities could catch the Rohs and deport them back to a North Korea brutally vengeful toward defectors. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vengeful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vengeful was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near vengeful

Cite this Entry

“Vengeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeful. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

vengeful

adjective
venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
: wanting revenge
vengefully adverb
vengefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vengeful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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