Vengeful vs. Revengeful: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Vengeful describes a strong desire to seek vengeance, often driven by anger or resentment, while revengeful means being inclined to seek revenge, with an emphasis on the act of retaliation itself.
Key Differences
Vengeful refers to a state of harboring intense desire for revenge, often fueled by deep-seated anger or resentment. A vengeful person is focused on seeking vengeance and may be driven by a strong emotional urge to right a perceived wrong. Revengeful, on the other hand, specifically denotes the inclination to take revenge, focusing more on the act of retaliation. A revengeful person is inclined to engage in acts of revenge, highlighting the intent to retaliate rather than the emotional state behind it.
While both terms involve the concept of seeking revenge, vengeful is more about the emotional state of desiring revenge, whereas revengeful is about the inclination or tendency to act on that desire. Vengeful is often used to describe a person’s character or nature, whereas revengeful is more frequently used to describe actions or intentions.
Vengeful implies a deeper, more sustained feeling of resentment, while revengeful emphasizes the intention to carry out acts of retaliation. In summary, vengeful is about the emotional drive for revenge, while revengeful is about the action-oriented mindset of seeking revenge.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Harboring a strong desire for revenge
Inclined to take revenge
Emphasis
Emotional state and desire
Act of retaliation
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Focus
Sustained anger or resentment
Intent to retaliate
Usage
Describes character or nature
Describes actions or intentions
Connotation
Deep-seated, ongoing feeling
Inclination towards retaliatory actions
Example Context
A vengeful person seeks to harm those who wronged them
A revengeful person plans acts of retaliation
Vengeful and Revengeful Definitions
Vengeful
Inclined to seek vengeance over perceived wrongs.
The vengeful employee tried to sabotage the company after being fired.
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Revengeful
Inclined to take revenge.
The revengeful man carefully planned his retaliation.
Vengeful
Describing a character trait marked by a desire for retribution.
She had a vengeful streak that often got her into trouble.
Revengeful
Focused on carrying out acts of revenge.
He became revengeful after being wronged by his colleagues.
Vengeful
Driven by intense anger or resentment.
His vengeful nature made him difficult to be around.
Revengeful
Describing behavior marked by seeking retribution.
The revengeful attacks escalated the conflict.
Vengeful
Harboring a strong desire for revenge.
The vengeful woman plotted her ex-partner's downfall.
Revengeful
Characterized by an intent to retaliate.
Her revengeful actions caused a rift in the family.
Vengeful
Focused on the emotional drive for revenge.
The vengeful glare in his eyes was unmistakable.
Revengeful
Highlighting the intent to inflict harm in response to a grievance.
His revengeful plot was revealed before he could act.
Vengeful
Desiring vengeance; vindictive
Epidemics seen as acts of a vengeful God.
Revengeful
Full of or given to revenge.
Vengeful
Characterized by or stemming from a desire for revenge
A vengeful attack by a spurned lover.
Vengeful anger.
Revengeful
Vengeful, vindictive.
Vengeful
Serving to exact vengeance
A vengeful sword.
Revengeful
Full of, or prone to, revenge; vindictive; malicious; revenging; wreaking revenge.
If thy revengeful heart can not forgive.
May my hands . . . Never brandish more revengeful steel.
Vengeful
Vindictive or wanting vengeance.
His chains now broken, the prisoner turned a vengeful eye toward his former captors.
Revengeful
Disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge;
More vindictive than jealous love
Punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature
Vengeful
Vindictive; retributive; revengeful.
Vengeful
Disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge;
More vindictive than jealous love
Punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature
FAQs
Is revengeful about actions?
Yes, revengeful emphasizes the inclination to carry out acts of revenge.
Can a person be both vengeful and revengeful?
Yes, a person can have a strong desire for revenge (vengeful) and also be inclined to act on it (revengeful).
Is vengeful an emotional state?
Yes, vengeful describes an emotional state of desiring revenge.
Is vengeful more about emotions or actions?
Vengeful is more about emotions.
What does vengeful mean?
Vengeful means harboring a strong desire for revenge, driven by anger or resentment.
What does revengeful mean?
Revengeful means being inclined to take revenge, focusing on the act of retaliation.
Does revengeful imply immediate action?
Revengeful implies an intent to take retaliatory action.
Is vengeful used to describe character?
Yes, vengeful often describes a person's character or nature.
Does vengeful imply ongoing feelings?
Yes, vengeful implies a sustained feeling of anger or resentment.
Can revengeful be used in a positive sense?
No, revengeful typically has a negative connotation.
Is revengeful used to describe behavior?
Yes, revengeful is used to describe actions or intentions related to seeking revenge.
Can vengeful be used in a positive sense?
Generally, vengeful has a negative connotation.
Can revengeful describe a temporary intention?
Yes, it can describe a temporary intention to seek revenge.
Is revengeful commonly used in everyday language?
Yes, revengeful is used to describe people’s inclinations towards revenge in everyday contexts.
Can vengeful apply to non-personal contexts?
Yes, vengeful can describe attitudes or actions in broader contexts, like politics or business.
Is revengeful more about emotions or actions?
Revengeful is more about actions.
Is vengeful commonly used in literature?
Yes, vengeful is often used in literary contexts to describe deep-seated desires for revenge.
Do both terms imply negative outcomes?
Yes, both vengeful and revengeful imply negative outcomes due to the nature of seeking revenge.
Can revengeful apply to non-personal contexts?
Yes, revengeful can describe retaliatory actions in various contexts, such as conflicts or disputes.
Can vengeful describe a temporary feeling?
It can, but it usually implies a deeper, more sustained feeling.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
