revenge

[ ri-venj ]
See synonyms for revenge on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),re·venged, re·veng·ing.
  1. to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit: He revenged his murdered brother.

  2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge: He revenged his brother's murder.

verb (used without object),re·venged, re·veng·ing.
  1. to take revenge.

noun
  1. the act of revenging; retaliation for injuries or wrongs; vengeance.

  2. something done in vengeance.

  1. the desire to retaliate; vindictiveness.

  2. an opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction.

Origin of revenge

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revengen (verb), from Middle French, Old French revengier, from re- re- + vengier “to avenge”; see avenge

synonym study For revenge

1. See avenge. 4. Revenge, reprisal, retribution, vengeance suggest a punishment, or injury inflicted in return for one received. Revenge is the carrying out of a bitter desire to injure another for a wrong done to oneself or to those who are felt to be like oneself: to plot revenge. Reprisal, formerly any act of retaliation, is used specifically in warfare for retaliation upon the enemy for its (usually unlawful) actions: to make a raid in reprisal for one by the enemy. Retribution suggests just or deserved punishment, often without personal motives, for some evil done: a just retribution for wickedness. Vengeance is usually wrathful, vindictive, furious revenge: implacable vengeance.

Other words for revenge

Other words from revenge

  • re·venge·less, adjective
  • re·veng·er, noun
  • re·veng·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·re·venge, noun
  • non·re·veng·er, noun
  • pre·re·venge, noun, verb (used with object), pre·re·venged, pre·re·veng·ing.
  • un·re·venged, adjective
  • un·re·veng·ing, adjective

Words Nearby revenge

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How to use revenge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for revenge

revenge

/ (rɪˈvɛndʒ) /


noun
  1. the act of retaliating for wrongs or injury received; vengeance

  2. something done as a means of vengeance

  1. the desire to take vengeance or retaliate

  2. a return match, regarded as a loser's opportunity to even the score

verb(tr)
  1. to inflict equivalent injury or damage for (injury received); retaliate in return for

  2. to take vengeance for (oneself or another); avenge

Origin of revenge

1
C14: from Old French revenger, from Late Latin revindicāre, from re- + vindicāre to vindicate

Derived forms of revenge

  • revengeless, adjective
  • revenger, noun
  • revenging, adjective
  • revengingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012