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.
On top of having been popularized in its current incarnation through a Harry Potter fanfic, the belief system abounds with fantastical thought experiments, like Roko’s Basilisk — in which a vengeful future AI punishes those who did not help to create it. Aja Romano, Vox, 24 Feb. 2025 After beginning her acting career in the 1950s with appearances on a few anthology series, Hirson joined ABC’s daytime serial The Edge of Night in the series regular role of the vengeful and sometimes murderous Stephanie Martin. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 20 Feb. 2025 For his efforts, he’s captured by the vengeful Yellowjackets. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes all-out war. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Vengeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeful. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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
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