vengeful

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl 

: revengeful: such as

a

: seeking to avenge

b

: serving to gain vengeance

vengefully

ˈvenj-fə-lē 

adverb

vengefulness noun

Synonyms

• vindictive
• revengeful
• cruel
• vicious
• malicious
• hateful
• hostile
• petty

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 vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025

The post-strike production slim-down coupled with a vengeful political climate and a corporate class that seems more than willing to make concessions to that political climate felt like bad news for the creatives working in entertainment. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025

But that manifests with her as a sort of vengeful, insatiable anger and need for revenge. —EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

But the corporate chiefs also know that Trump is a vengeful man with the power to target anyone who speaks out against him, or any business that displeases him. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vengeful

• revengeful

Kids Definition

vengeful

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl 

: wanting revenge

vengefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

vengefulness noun