I want no acts of vengeance vs Revenge

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

I want no acts of vengeance

FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)

Revenge

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most formal: I want no acts of vengeanceMost common: Revenge
 I want no acts of vengeanceRevenge
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //aɪ wɒnt nəʊ ækts əv ˈvɛn.dʒəns//🇺🇸 //aɪ wɑnt noʊ ækts əv ˈvɛnʤəns//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/
MeaningI don’t want any revenge actions.Harming someone because they hurt you.
ExampleIn my speech, I clearly stated, 'I want no acts of vengeance.'He sought revenge against those who had betrayed him.
RegisterFormalNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsacts of vengeance, no desire for vengeance, vengeance is not an optionsweet, seek, want, plot, attack, killing, fantasy, in revenge, revenge for, revenge on, an act of revenge, a desire for revenge, sweet, seek, want, plot, attack, killing, fantasy, in revenge, revenge for, revenge on, an act of revenge, a desire for revenge
Antonyms-forgiveness, reconciliation, pardon
Common mistakesConfusing 'vengeance' with 'revenge' - they are similar but have different uses., Misplacing the phrase in a sentence, which can change the meaning., Using it in an overly dramatic context where simpler language would suffice.Confusing 'revenge' with 'vengeance' as they have slightly different uses., Using 'revenge' as a noun without a clear action (e.g., 'I want revenge' is okay, but 'I seek revenge on him' is unnatural)., Mixing up the meaning with 'retaliation' which has a more immediate context.
Usage notesUsed in serious contexts, often in discussions about justice. Avoid in casual conversations.Often used in stories or discussions about conflict. It's generally seen as negative and not recommended to seek revenge in real life. Avoid in professional and polite conversations.

See it in real clips

I want no acts of vengeance
Revenge

Frequently asked questions: I want no acts of vengeance vs Revenge

What's the difference between I want no acts of vengeance and Revenge?

I want no acts of vengeance: I don’t want any revenge actions. Revenge: Harming someone because they hurt you.

Which is more formal: I want no acts of vengeance and Revenge?

I want no acts of vengeance is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: I want no acts of vengeance and Revenge?

Revenge is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

I want no acts of vengeance: In my speech, I clearly stated, 'I want no acts of vengeance.' Revenge: He sought revenge against those who had betrayed him.

Can I use I want no acts of vengeance and Revenge interchangeably?

Not always. I want no acts of vengeance and Revenge are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.