vengeance

[ ven-juhns ]

/ ˈvɛn dʒəns /

|||

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noun

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?

an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble: to take one's vengeance.

the desire for revenge: a man full of vengeance.

Obsolete. hurt; injury.

Obsolete. curse; imprecation.

Nearby words

venezia giulia, venezia tridentina, venezuela, venezuelan, venge, vengeance, vengeful, veni, vidi, vici, veni-, venial, venial sin

Idioms

with a vengeance,

with force or violence.
greatly; extremely.
to an unreasonable, excessive, or surprising degree: He attacked the job with a vengeance.

Origin of vengeance

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French, equivalent to vengi(er) to avenge (see venge) + -ance -ance

SYNONYMS FOR vengeance

1 requital, retaliation.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vengeance ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR vengeance

1 forgiveness.

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Synonym study

1. See revenge.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vengeance

But all these groups are reaching a point where vengeance takes priority over politics or, much less, public relations.
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S.|Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite a dizzying number of women coming forward against her husband, Camille Cosby refuses to sharpen her blade of vengeance.
Why Didn’t Camille Dump Bill Cosby?|Amanda Marcotte|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
U.S. airstrikes continue, but militants from the so-called Islamic State are still attacking with a vengeance on every front.
Did ISIS Attack Kobani from Turkey?|Jamie Dettmer|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In January, if the GOP wins Senate control, he will go after Obama and the EPA with a vengeance.
If You Think D.C. Is Awful Now, Wait Until Wednesday|Jonathan Alter|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

However, there is at least a sense that security is back on the agenda with a vengeance.
Shocked by Ukraine Violence, NATO Prepares to Face Down Putin|Leo Cendrowicz|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vengeance, sir, is the hollowest of all the mockeries that go to make up life.
The Sea-Hawk|Raphael Sabatini
In Great Britain the rural exodus has gone on with a vengeance.
The Rural Life Problem of the United States|Horace Curzon Plunkett
The friends of Dujarier refused to be diverted from the trail of vengeance.
Lola Montez|Edmund B. d'Auvergne
On the brink of the cliff MacGregor on his knees was chanting his war-cry, his thanks that vengeance had not been denied him.
The Snow-Burner|Henry Oyen
Tell me not of God's vengeance, punishing men for his own glory!
Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 2 (of 3)|Theodore Parker

British Dictionary definitions for vengeance

vengeance

/ (ˈvɛndʒəns) /

noun

the act of or desire for taking revenge; retributive punishment

with a vengeance (intensifier)the 70's have returned with a vengeance

Word Origin for vengeance

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

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

Idioms and Phrases with vengeance

vengeance

see with a vengeance.