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. (intensifier)

   the 70's have returned with a vengeance

Word History and Origins

Origin of vengeance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vengeance¹

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

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.

see with a vengeance.

Synonym Study

See revenge.

Example Sentences

“I know because I felt its pull after losing my son. I cradled vengeance like a second grief, a sacred companion. I told myself a story about right and wrong, about punishing the guilty.”

Read more on Salon

“This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain. It is a decision grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The ground begins to shake with a violent vengeance.

Read more on Literature

The children ran around the grounds and sniffed, but the scents of madness, meanness, and vengeance were nowhere to be found at Ashton Place.

Read more on Literature

It died there because employees hated it, but now it is back with a vengeance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• reprisal 
• retribution 
• revenge 

When To Use

What does vengeance mean?

Vengeance is a desire for revenge—retaliation against or punishment of someone for some kind of harm that they caused or wrongdoing that they did (whether real or perceived).It can also be used as an even more intense synonym for revenge.Vengeance often involves deep anger and a perhaps obsessive desire to get even by inflicting similar harm to the person who initially harmed the person seeking revenge. When it means the same thing as revenge, vengeance is often planned out over a period of time.The related adjective vengeful is used to describe someone who is determined to seek vengeance or someone who is inclined to seek vengeance—someone who is vindictive.The phrase with a vengeance means with great violence or intensity, as in My allergies have come back with a vengeance—I’ve been sneezing all day. Example: The vengeance in your heart will eat away at you, which is like letting your enemy defeat you yet again.