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

After a foul ball, Chapman exacted some revenge, striking out Devers on a 102 MPH heater up in the zone. —Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

Soleimani’s death threatened to heighten tensions between the U.S. and Iran back in 2020, and some Iranian officials have since called for Trump to be put on trial or face revenge from Tehran. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 June 2025

The game will be played in the aftermath of the United States Air Force and Navy bombing nuclear sites in Iran this weekend and Iran vowing revenge. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 June 2025

Summer has officially begun on Prime Video with the premiere of We Were Liars, a series adaptation of E. Lockhart’s best-selling tale of romance, revenge and Ralph Lauren. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 18 June 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