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View synonyms for revenge

revenge

[ ri-venj ]

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.

    Synonyms: requital

  2. something done in vengeance.
  3. the desire to retaliate; vindictiveness.
  4. an opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction.

revenge

/ rɪˈvɛndʒ /

noun

  1. the act of retaliating for wrongs or injury received; vengeance
  2. something done as a means of vengeance
  3. the desire to take vengeance or retaliate
  4. a return match, regarded as a loser's opportunity to even the score


verb

  1. to inflict equivalent injury or damage for (injury received); retaliate in return for
  2. to take vengeance for (oneself or another); avenge

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Derived Forms

  • reˈvengeless, adjective
  • reˈvengingly, adverb
  • reˈvenging, adjective
  • reˈvenger, noun

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Other Words From

  • 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) prerevenged prerevenging
  • unre·venged adjective
  • unre·venging adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of revenge1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of revenge1

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

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Synonym Study

See avenge. 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.

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Example Sentences

In their past calls for attacks on Western targets, AQAP has focused on putting bombs on planes, not revenge attacks.

Only one other Star Wars film has earned a PG-13 rating, the 2005 prequel Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

If they really wanted to get revenge they should have gone to Staten Island and found the cops that killed Eric Garner.

Bloodthirsty calls for revenge have filled Facebook and Twitter.

To hurt them at their safe haven and homes—such an attack is perfect revenge.

All immediate danger having now been dispelled, the Spaniards solaced themselves with the sweets of revenge.

Gourges fitted out three vessels and 150 soldiers at his own expense to revenge their death, and repair the honor of his nation.

Every word she breathed, every anathema she denounced, seemed urged by the quick revenge of Duke Wharton!

Humanity must bench with justice; or punishment itself becomes crime, and degenerates into revenge.

But it should not be by embracing revenge through the treasons, whose arms were extended to receive and to avenge him.

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