vengeful

1 of 2

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl 

: revengeful: such as

a

: seeking to avenge

b

: serving to gain vengeance

vengefully

ˈvenj-fə-lē 

adverb

vengefulness noun

vengefulness

2 of 2

noun

venge·​ful·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being vengeful

Synonyms of vengeful

Adjective

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

Examples of vengeful in a Sentence

Adjective

The robbery was committed by a vengeful former employee.

The fire was a vengeful act of destruction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Here was a candidate who got shot—as Roosevelt was, in 1912, by a man who’d been instructed to do so in a dream by the vengeful ghost of William McKinley—and kept on campaigning. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Then the Legislature must act, looking for ways to keep state employees from abusing their power in pursuit of a political or vengeful agenda. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

The show finds ways to expose the worst in its characters, their pettiest, most vengeful, greediest parts. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

While trying to save one of Afton’s victims, a young girl named Charlotte dies and her vengeful spirit possesses Marionette, a creepy puppet animatronic. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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