vengeance
gb/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/ us/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/
B2
English
~ 3300
bosszú, bosszúállás
NOUN
B2
1
bosszú
B1
bosszúállás
B2
Usage pattern:
to take vengeance on [someone]
He swore to take vengeance on those who betrayed him.
Megesküdött, hogy bosszút áll azokon, akik elárulták.
The movie's plot centers around a hero's quest for vengeance.
A film cselekménye egy hős bosszúhadjárata körül forog.
Her vengeance was swift and unexpected.
Vengeance drove him to make dangerous choices.
They planned their vengeance carefully over many years.
Learner examples
He wanted vengeance after the fight.
Bosszút akart állni a verekedés után.
She took vengeance on the man who hurt her.
Bosszút állt azon a férfin, aki bántotta.
They planned vengeance for the attack.
Vengeance can lead to more trouble.
He dreamed of vengeance for his family.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vengeance' with 'justice'; 'justice' is fair and legal, while 'vengeance' is personal and often emotional.
Meaning
punishment for a wrong
Collocations
seek vengeance
|take vengeance
|exact vengeance
|vengeance upon
|vengeance for
Synonyms
revenge (More common in everyday speech; often interchangeable, though 'vengeance' can sound more formal or dramatic.)
|
retribution (Carries a more formal or moral tone, often used in legal or religious contexts.)
Antonyms
forgiveness (Choosing not to punish or harm someone despite a wrong done.)
|
mercy (Showing compassion instead of punishing.)
Themes
emotions
|justice
|conflict
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The act of hurting or punishing someone because they hurt you first.
The act of inflicting harm or punishment on someone in response to a perceived injury or wrongdoing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vengeance
IPA
GB/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/
US/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/
Syllables & stress
ven - geance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ven)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vengeance
- Plural: vengeance
Word family
Expressions
take vengeance on
1/tˈeɪk vˈɛnd͡ʒəns ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
punish in return for wrong
To hurt or punish someone because they hurt you first.
Examples
- He took vengeance on his enemies after years of waiting.
- The villagers took vengeance on the bandits who had robbed them.
with a vengeance
1/wˈɪθ ə vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/
idiom
with great force or intensity
Used to say that something happens with great strength, effort, or intensity.
Examples
- After the delay, the project moved forward with a vengeance.
- The storm returned with a vengeance after a brief calm.