vengeful

adjective

ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
Definition of vengefulnext
as in vindictive
likely to seek revenge a vengeful person never lets go of a grudge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vengeful Russia, already shock-therapied into unprecedented national calamity, was beginning to recoil from fervent Americanophilia into vengeful ultra-nationalism. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 There, Pinocchio witnesses James being bullied by his peers, and his vengeful instincts kick in. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 July 2026 The problem may be human error or bad luck, not a vengeful god. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026 The attempts to save Platner in the high stakes campaign to defeat Republican incumbent Susan Collins involved portraying Platner’s accusers, women, as vengeful liars. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vengeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vengeful
  1. vindictive
  2. revengeful
  3. cruel
  4. vicious
  5. malicious
  6. hateful
  7. hostile
  8. petty
Adjective
  • The investigation of James Comey is vindictive and meritless—and unashamedly so.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • Condor, Newton and Hiraga do their best to make Max’s actions believable, but her stubborn stupidity eventually requires more suspension of belief than a highly vindictive shark prowling a freshwater cave right next to the ocean.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of vindictive
Adjective
  • DeMar DeRozan had 32, Russell Westbrook had a revengeful 22 and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Brian Heil played Don Jose with angst and ultimately, revengeful rage as Carmen’s spurned lover.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of revengeful
Adjective
  • Who could be so cruel as to cut off their family from the family plan?
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Influencer culture didn’t exist yet, but some designers were cruel and catty, even without the current omnipresent evil of social media.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Hilton for his vicious public insults, including Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Hilton.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The prequel details the vicious battle between former friends Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) for the Iron Throne and its subsequent reverberations.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • These errors can cause crashes or enable attackers to exploit memory vulnerabilities, risking data corruption or executing malicious code.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Elijah Bieniemy, who is 27 and is a graduate of Olathe Northwest High School, has been charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • Yes, discipline, which is not a heavy and hateful word, because discipline is what frees us.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
  • The goal isn’t to eliminate every harmful post or hateful idea.
    — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026
Definition of hateful
Adjective
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • His legal team couched the City Council’s move to weaken the mayor’s authority and strip him of privileges as a petty effort to unseat the youngest mayor in the city’s history, and one who has questioned their leadership.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
  • One Marchand report contained several petty and embarrassing details about McAfee that clearly came from ESPN insiders.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of petty

Browse Nearby Words

venged
vengeful
vengefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Vengeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vengeful. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of vengeful for Spanish Speakers

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