Cool MateRevenge vs Vendetta
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Revenge
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Vendetta
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Revenge
| Revenge | Vendetta | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //vɛnˈdɛtə//🇺🇸 //vɛnˈdɛtə// |
| Meaning | Harming someone because they hurt you. | A strong desire for revenge against someone. |
| Example | He sought revenge against those who had betrayed him. | Their family has held a vendetta against each other for generations. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | sweet, 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 | carry out a vendetta, feud and vendetta, personal vendetta, vengeful vendetta, ongoing vendetta |
| Antonyms | forgiveness, reconciliation, pardon | forgiveness, reconciliation, peace |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using 'vendetta' to describe any argument, not just serious revenge., Confusing 'vendetta' with 'vendetta' as a simple disagreement., Incorrectly using 'vendetta' in a casual context. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Often used in a serious context to describe feuds or personal rivalries. More common in narratives and discussions about conflicts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Revenge vs Vendetta
What's the difference between Revenge and Vendetta?
Revenge: Harming someone because they hurt you. Vendetta: A strong desire for revenge against someone.
Which is more common: Revenge and Vendetta?
Revenge is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Revenge: He sought revenge against those who had betrayed him. Vendetta: Their family has held a vendetta against each other for generations.
Can I use Revenge and Vendetta interchangeably?
Not always. Revenge and Vendetta 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.