noun
Uncommon
vengeance
VEHN-juhns
Vengeance (noun) means Punishment inflicted in return for a wrong or injury; revenge. Example: “He swore vengeance on the men who had betrayed him.”
noun
1
Punishment inflicted in return for a wrong or injury; revenge.
"He swore vengeance on the men who had betrayed him."
"The film is a story of vengeance stretching across two decades."
"She did not seek vengeance, even after the unfair way she had been treated."
How to use vengeance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting back at someone for a wrong done to you — a slightly more formal, dramatic word for revenge.
Common mistake
The phrase "with a vengeance" doesn't always involve actual revenge — it just means doing something with unusual force or intensity, e.g. "it started raining with a vengeance."
Common pairings
seek vengeance
swear vengeance
with a vengeance
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Word forms
- Plural
- vengeances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He swore _____ on the men who had betrayed him.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman vengeaunce, from Old French vengier ("to avenge").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vengeance
See all rhymes for vengeance →Frequently asked questions
What does “vengeance” mean?
The word “vengeance” means punishment inflicted in return for a wrong or injury; revenge. In plain terms, getting back at someone for a wrong done to you — a slightly more formal, dramatic word for revenge.
How do you pronounce “vengeance”?
“Vengeance” is pronounced VEHN-juhns (/ˈvɛnˌd͡ʒəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “vengeance” in a sentence?
Here is “vengeance” used in a sentence: “He swore vengeance on the men who had betrayed him.”
What is another word for “vengeance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vengeance” include reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge and wreak.
What is the opposite of “vengeance”?
The opposite of “vengeance” — its antonyms — is reconciliation.
What part of speech is “vengeance”?
“Vengeance” is a noun.
Where does the word “vengeance” come from?
The word “vengeance” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman vengeaunce, from Old French vengier ("to avenge").
Is “vengeance” a common word?
“Vengeance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between vengeance and revenge?
Vengeance and revenge both mean punishment inflicted in return for a wrong, and the words are largely interchangeable. "Vengeance" often carries a more formal or dramatic tone, appearing in phrases like "seek vengeance," while "revenge" is used more freely in everyday speech.
Is vengeance the same as justice?
Not quite. Vengeance is personal punishment inflicted in return for a wrong, driven by a desire for retribution, whereas justice implies a fair and impartial resolution, often through legal or moral process rather than personal retaliation.
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