Revenge

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ɹəˈvɛnd͡ʒ/

Definitions

1. The act of inflicting harm or punishment on someone in response to a perceived wrong or injury they caused
2. The act of seeking retribution against another for a grievance or wrongdoing that has been inflicted upon oneself or loved ones
3. A deliberate effort to retaliate or inflict suffering on someone as a reaction to an offense or perceived injustice

Etymology: Revenge descends from Latin "vindicare," meaning to lay claim to something or to punish, which is also the ancestor of "vindicate." The word passed through Old French "vengier" and "revengier," and Middle French "revenger," before entering English as "revengen" in Middle English. Its sense of "vengeance" pushes back against the idea of simply getting something back. The Latin root gave English two words that drifted apart. "Vindicate" kept the sense of clearing someone's name or justifying a claim, while the "venge" branch narrowed toward punishment for injury. Alongside "revenge" English also developed "avenge" and "vengeance," all sharing that ancient root. Old French also had "revancher," meaning to get back at someone, which gave French the modern noun "revanche," a return match or retaliation. English "revenge" and French "revanche" are therefore doublets, two forms of one Latin ancestor that entered each language by different routes.

Synonyms: vengeance, retribution, retaliation, payback, reprisal

Antonyms: forgiveness, pardon, clemency, absolution, mercy