noun
vengeance
VEN-juns/ˈvendʒəns/
Punishment inflicted in return for a wrong.
The chess player takes vengeance by capturing the opponent's queen.
Etymology
The verb behind venge- meant both “assert a claim” and “avenge, punish.” Vengeance names the act of retribution: punishment inflicted on someone in return for a wrong.
In context
I do not want your worship to avenge me of any wrong, because when any is done me I can take what vengeance seems good to me
More examples
- She rejected vengeance and chose to forgive.
- His anger hardened into a desire for vengeance.
- The feud continued through repeated acts of vengeance.
Forms
vengeance
Similar words
- revenge
- The usual equivalent.
- retaliation
- Action taken in response to an injury or attack.