redengeving

Redengeving is a neologism used to describe a pattern in which a person responds to harm or transgression by combining elements of retaliation with acts of giving or generosity. The concept sits at the intersection of revenge and restorative action and is used in online discourse to analyze strategies of accountability, signaling, and social dynamics surrounding conflict.

Etymology and usage of the term are informal; redengeving is generally viewed as a portmanteau of revenge and giving. Its precise origins are uncertain, but the term began circulating in English-language online discussions in the 2020s, especially in conversations about morality, justice, and social media behavior. It is not established in formal psychology, criminology, or law.

In practice, redengeving can refer to scenarios where a harmed party uses gifts, donations, or public acts as part of a response to wrongdoing. This may be intended to shame the offender into accountability, to repair harm for communities, or to set social norms. Conversely, some uses describe performative generosity aimed at pressuring compliance or reputational rehabilitation. The spectrum of intent—from restorative to coercive—contributes to a lack of consensus about the term’s meaning.

Context and related concepts include restorative justice, moral signaling, social sanction, and the broader study of online etiquette and ethical behavior. Critics argue that redengeving can be vague, conflating different motives and outcomes, and that it risks normalizing retaliatory or performative acts under the umbrella of justice.