vengeful

adjective

venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
Synonyms of vengeful
: revengeful: such as
a
: seeking to avenge
b
: serving to gain vengeance
vengefully
ˈvenj-fə-lē How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
adverb
vengefulness noun

Synonyms of vengeful

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Examples of vengeful in a Sentence

The robbery was committed by a vengeful former employee. The fire was a vengeful act of destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The drama, now streaming, traces her evolution from grieving mother to vengeful killer. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Get ready for slashers, haunted hotels, vengeful women, the curse of the undead and much more. — Rebekah Faubion, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026 The story follows a celebrated pediatric heart surgeon whose daughter falls prey to a vengeful ghost. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 None of these companies want to incur the wrath of this very vengeful president. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vengeful

Word History

Etymology

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vengeful was circa 1586

Rhymes for vengeful

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Browse Nearby Words

vengeant
vengeful
vengefully
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Cite this Entry

“Vengeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeful. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vengeful

adjective
venge·​ful ˈvenj-fəl How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
: wanting revenge
vengefully
-fə-lē How to pronounce vengeful (audio)
adverb
vengefulness noun
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