revenge

1 of 2

verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj 

revenged; revenging

transitive verb

1

: to avenge (oneself or another) usually by retaliating in kind or degree

2

: to inflict injury in return for

revenge an insult

revenger noun

revenge

2 of 2

noun

1

: a desire for vengeance or retribution

motivated by revenge

2

: an act or instance of retaliating in order to get even

plotted her revenge

3

: an opportunity for getting satisfaction

sought revenge through a rematch

Synonyms

Verb

• avenge
• redress
• requite
• retaliate
• venge [archaic]

Noun

• payback
• reprisal
• requital
• retaliation
• retribution
• vengeance

Examples of revenge in a Sentence

Verb

a man who took matters into his own hands and revenged the death of his brother

Noun

She swore that she would have her revenge.

She wants revenge against her enemies.

The bombing was in revenge for the assassination of their leader.

The team is seeking revenge for the loss earlier in the season.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Wildcats have a much different team now — the squad that only managed 55 points vs. the Blue Devils ended up leading the Big 12 in scoring — and will look to get revenge on Thursday. —Tobias Bass, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Arkansas is coming off one of the best wins of the tournament, as head coach John Calipari exacted a little revenge on longtime foe Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm with an upset win. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025

This come in the wake of Majors being cast in the upcoming revenge thriller Merciless, directed by Martin Villeneuve. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025

An evil spirit rescues and possesses him, marking the start of Khazan’s supernatural journey for revenge. —PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French revenger, revengier, from re- + venger to avenge — more at vengeance

Noun

Middle French revenge, revenche, from revengier, revenchier to revenge

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revenge

• Montezuma's revenge
• revenge oneself on
• seek revenge for
• take (one's) revenge

Rhymes for revenge

• avenge

Kids Definition

revenge

1 of 2 verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj 

revenged; revenging

1

: to get even for a wrong done

revenge myself on my enemies

2

: to give injury in return for

revenge an insult

revenger noun

revenge

2 of 2 noun

1

: a desire to pay back injury for injury

2

: an act or instance of revenging

3

: a chance for getting satisfaction

revengeful

-fəl

adjective

revengefully

-fə-lē

adverb

revengefulness noun