Revenge vs. Vengeance: What's the Difference?
Table of Contents
Revenge
Revenge is a form of justice usually assumed to be enacted in the absence of the norms of formal law and jurisprudence. Often, revenge is defined as being a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. It is used to punish a wrong by going outside the law. This is because the individual taking revenge feels as though the law will not do justice. Revenge is also known as retribution or vengeance; it may be characterized as a form of justice (not to be confused with retributive justice), an altruistic action which enforces societal or moral justice aside from the legal system. Francis Bacon described it as a kind of “wild justice” that “does… offend the law [and] putteth the law out of office”. Primitive justice or retributive justice is often differentiated from more formal and refined forms of justice such as distributive justice and divine judgment.
Revenge (noun)
Any form of personal retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some perceived harm or injustice.
“Indifference is the sweetest revenge.”
“When I left my wife, she tried to set fire to the house in revenge.”
Revenge (noun)
A win by the previous loser.
Revenge (verb)
To take one’s revenge (on or upon) someone.
Revenge (verb)
To take revenge for (a particular harmful action), to avenge.
“Arsenal revenged its loss to Manchester United last time with a 5-0 drubbing this time.”
Revenge (verb)
To take vengeance; to revenge itself.
Vengeance (noun)
Revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong.
Vengeance (noun)
Desire for revenge.
Vengeance (noun)
punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong
“voters are ready to wreak vengeance on all politicians”
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