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View synonyms for vengeance

vengeance

[ ven-juhns ]

noun

  1. infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge:

    But have you the right to vengeance?

    Synonyms: retaliation, requital

    Antonyms: forgiveness

  2. an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble:

    to take one's vengeance.

  3. the desire for revenge:

    a man full of vengeance.

  4. Obsolete. hurt; injury.
  5. Obsolete. curse; imprecation.


vengeance

/ ˈvɛndʒəns /

noun

  1. the act of or desire for taking revenge; retributive punishment
  2. with a vengeance
    with a vengeance (intensifier)

    the 70's have returned with a vengeance



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Word History and Origins

Origin of vengeance1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French; equivalent to venge + -ance

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vengeance1

C13: from Old French, from venger to avenge, from Latin vindicāre to punish; see vindicate

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. with a vengeance,
    1. with force or violence.
    2. greatly; extremely.
    3. to an unreasonable, excessive, or surprising degree:

      He attacked the job with a vengeance.

More idioms and phrases containing vengeance

see with a vengeance .

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Synonym Study

See revenge.

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Example Sentences

But all these groups are reaching a point where vengeance takes priority over politics or, much less, public relations.

Despite a dizzying number of women coming forward against her husband, Camille Cosby refuses to sharpen her blade of vengeance.

U.S. airstrikes continue, but militants from the so-called Islamic State are still attacking with a vengeance on every front.

In January, if the GOP wins Senate control, he will go after Obama and the EPA with a vengeance.

However, there is at least a sense that security is back on the agenda with a vengeance.

He could not bear to open his dreadful situation to his Uncle David, nor to kill himself, nor to defy the vengeance of Longcluse.

The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.

And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins.

Thy nakedness shall be discovered, and thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and no man shall resist me.

If he had set out to arouse emotion in these two sluggish breasts he had done so with a vengeance.

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Related Words

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inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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