Meaning & use

vengeful

adjective·Advanced

Feeling or showing a strong desire for revenge.

See it in a sentence

The vengeful ex-employee leaked confidential files to damage the company's reputation.

He gave his rival a vengeful smile before revealing that he'd won the contract instead.

A note on using this word

Implies a deliberate, often lasting intent to get even, stronger than simply being angry.

Words with a similar meaning

vindictivespiteful

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

forgivingmerciful

Make it your own

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