revenge

1 of 2

verb

re·​venge ri-ˈvenj How to pronounce revenge (audio)
revenged; revenging
Synonyms of revenge

transitive verb

1
: to avenge (oneself or another) usually by retaliating in kind or degree
vowed to revenge herself on her betrayer
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 of revenge

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Verb

Noun

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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
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Noun
Duane Davis guilty in murder of Tupac Shakur Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was murdered in Las Vegas, a jury has provided some closure in the saga of rivalry, revenge and retribution in the hip-hop world. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors said someone recognized Douglas as the shooting suspect in the video and told investigators Douglas may have been seeking revenge. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Is anyone in The Shards getting revenge at this point, though? — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 Anyway, Mulroney recently ended things with the girls in order to get married, which cued several fanciful attempts at revenge, which continue well after the trial has ended. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revenge

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of revenge was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing revenge

Rhymes for revenge

See All Rhymes for revenge

Browse Nearby Words

revendication
revenge
revengeful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

revenge

1 of 2 verb
re·​venge ri-ˈvenj How to pronounce revenge (audio)
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
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