vengeful

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
: revengeful: such as
a
: seeking to avenge
b
: serving to gain vengeance
vengefully adverb
vengefulness noun

Examples of vengeful in a Sentence

The robbery was committed by a vengeful former employee. The fire was a vengeful act of destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Tita and her older sisters, the rebellious Gertrudis (Andrea Chaparro) and the stoic Rosaura (Ana Valeria Becerril) are raised by their bitter and vengeful widowed mother, Elena (an intense Irene Azuela). Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024 Ghosts and vengeful spirits lurk and linger, tempting and prodding our characters toward self-destruction. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 Japanese horror lifts the thin curtain between the living and the dead, conjuring up vengeful ghosts and high-tech demons in transgressive tales of madness, mutation, and death. Katie Rife, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Throw in a few racist teachers and one vengeful ghost, and Jake’s got his hands full. Jordan Kopy, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vengeful 

Word History

Etymology

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vengeful was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near vengeful

Cite this Entry

“Vengeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeful. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vengeful

adjective
venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
: wanting revenge
vengefully adverb
vengefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vengeful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!