vengeance
gb/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/ us/vˈɛnd͡ʒəns/
B2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
punishment for a wrong
The act of hurting or punishing someone because they hurt you first.
Usage pattern:
to take vengeance on [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vengeance' with 'justice'; 'justice' is fair and legal, while 'vengeance' is personal and often emotional.
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.)
Collocations
seek vengeance
|take vengeance
|exact vengeance
|vengeance upon
|vengeance for
Themes
emotions
|justice
|conflict
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He swore to take vengeance on those who betrayed him.
- The movie's plot centers around a hero's quest for vengeance.
- 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.
- She took vengeance on the man who hurt her.
- They planned vengeance for the attack.
- Vengeance can lead to more trouble.
- He dreamed of vengeance for his family.
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.