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 Before she can be put into the police car, Jae-geong makes a run for it—straight into the path of a vengeful Eun-se’s car. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026 The actual abduction was committed, according to the feds, by supermarket owner Abu Chowdhury — who’s accused of heading a kidnapping ring that also snatched and tortured two men who crossed his vengeful wife, Iffat Lubna. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026 Dallas Liu plays the multi-layered vengeful heir to the Fire Nation throne, Prince Zuko. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 27 June 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
  • Brennan argues the records are vital to a potential vindictive-prosecution defense, citing more than 100 Trump statements attacking him and directives to pursue cases without legal basis.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Her reasons for taking the throne have become more personal, more vindictive.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 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
  • But in one of the cruelest ironies in rock history, Berry suffered a devastating car crash not far from the actual Dead Man’s Curve in Los Angeles on April 12, 1966.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
  • In the face of climate change, such woo woo aphorisms seem ridiculous, naive, and cruel.
    — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Harbaugh had tense standoffs with legacy defenders Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and, during the 2012 season, held a sitdown with his players to address their vicious and personal attacks on his approach.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The film also shows Maddox and her father in a vicious argument inside her car that illustrates the fracturing of their once-close bond.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • Ransomware is a type of malicious software that restricts access to computer files, systems, or networks, according to the FBI.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • Rodriguez pleaded guilty to damaging property occupied by a foreign government, explosive materials—malicious damage to federal property, and receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • Look the steady coarsening of American civic and political culture and the ways in which the once-outrageous—the bilious, hateful rhetoric and the creeping authoritarianism—have become almost ordinary.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • Although Fang was charged in a single incident, authorities allege the defendant was responsible for a string of hateful messages found across the Northern California campus.
    — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of hateful
Adjective
  • The recruits will be deployed in Malaysia and tested in the hostile jungle environment.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Ibiza is hostile to new club owners, and Ushuaïa faced the usual onslaught.
    — Max Marshall, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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