Cool MateRevenge vs Vengeance
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Revenge
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Vengeance
FormalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: VengeanceMost common: Revenge
| Revenge | Vengeance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈvendʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛn.dʒəns//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛn.dʒəns// |
| Meaning | Harming someone because they hurt you. | Seeking punishment or harm for a wrong done to you. |
| Example | He sought revenge against those who had betrayed him. | He sought vengeance for the betrayal by confronting his former friend. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (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 | seek vengeance, vow vengeance, avenge with vengeance, vengeance and justice, the spirit of vengeance |
| Antonyms | forgiveness, reconciliation, pardon | forgiveness, pardon, reconciliation, compassion |
| 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. | Confused with 'revenge'; revenge is an action, vengeance is a more formal concept., Used in inappropriate humorous contexts., Mixed up with 'vengeful', which describes a person rather than the act. |
| 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. | Used in serious contexts, often associated with justice or revenge. Avoid in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Revenge vs Vengeance
What's the difference between Revenge and Vengeance?
Revenge: Harming someone because they hurt you. Vengeance: Seeking punishment or harm for a wrong done to you.
Which is more formal: Revenge and Vengeance?
Vengeance is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Revenge and Vengeance?
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. Vengeance: He sought vengeance for the betrayal by confronting his former friend.
Can I use Revenge and Vengeance interchangeably?
Not always. Revenge and Vengeance 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.