vengeful

1 of 2

adjective

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

vengefulness

2 of 2

noun

venge·​ful·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being vengeful

Synonyms of vengeful

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Adjective

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Examples of vengeful in a Sentence

Adjective The robbery was committed by a vengeful former employee. The fire was a vengeful act of destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Before she can be put into the police car, Jae-geong makes a run for it—straight into the path of a vengeful Eun-se’s car. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026 Dallas Liu plays the multi-layered vengeful heir to the Fire Nation throne, Prince Zuko. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 Familial drama ensues as betrayal runs rampant and Casillas embarks on a vengeful crusade against his enemies to regain and avenge the death of his love interest. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Prosecutors have spent the duration of the trial painting Rinderknecht as a vengeful, mentally unstable arsonist who was angry at society. — ABC News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vengeful

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

venge + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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 8 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on vengeful

Nglish: Translation of vengeful for Spanish Speakers

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