# vengeful

/ˈvɛndʒfəɫ/ (US) · /vˈɛndʒfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vengeful
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

feeling or showing a strong desire to hurt someone who has hurt you first. You use this to describe someone who wants to get even.

For teachers: characterised by a desire to retaliate against an enemy or person who has caused harm. Often used to describe a person's emotional state or a specific action taken to punish an offender.

## Examples

- He felt vengeful after his friend stole his job.
- The vengeful spirit of the old building was said to haunt the halls of the abandoned school.
- The protagonist's vengeful pursuit of the antagonist drives the plot, though the narrative eventually questions whether such a personal quest for justice is truly beneficial for society.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.