Word: vengeance

Associations

Vengeance means the desire to harm someone for a wrong they have done to you. It often carries a strong emotional charge.

• Example 1: "He sought vengeance for the betrayal." This means he wanted to get back at someone who betrayed him.
• Example 2: "In the movie, the hero returned to seek vengeance on those who wronged him." Here, the hero is trying to make others pay for their wrong actions.
• Example 3: "Her vengeance was swift and unexpected." In this case, it indicates that her action to retaliate was quick and caught others off guard.

A well-known synonym is "revenge," but vengeance often has a deeper or more intense emotional connotation. While "revenge" can imply a more casual desire to retaliate, "vengeance" suggests a more profound commitment to inflict harm.

Substitution

Other words or phrases you can use instead of "vengeance" include:

• Retaliation: This often means responding to an attack or insult, but it may not carry the same deep emotional intensity.
• Avenge: This means to take action against someone for a wrongdoing, often focusing on the act rather than the feeling of vengeance.

Deconstruction

The word "vengeance" comes from the Latin word "vindicta," which means "punishment" or "vengeance." It has the root "veng-" meaning "to take vengeance or revenge." There are no prefixes or suffixes in this word, which helps keep its meaning straightforward.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt a desire for vengeance? What did you want to do?
• How might the idea of vengeance differ in different cultures or situations?
• Do you believe that seeking vengeance is ever justified? Why or why not?