vengeful

Vengeful is an adjective describing a person or attitude characterized by a strong desire to seek revenge for a perceived wrong. A vengeful individual is motivated by the intent to punish or repay the offender, sometimes regardless of proportionality or due process. The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting obstinacy or a tendency to harm others in the name of justice rather than to resolve a grievance.

Etymology: The word derives from vengeance, which in turn comes from Old French vengeance and Latin vindicatio/vindicare, all built around the idea of reclaiming or redressing a wrong. The English suffix -ful converts the noun sense into an adjective indicating a tendency or inclination.

Usage: Vengeful describes attitudes, motives, or actions driven by revenge. In literature and media, vengeful characters are those who pursue payback as a central motive, sometimes leading to moral conflict or tragic outcomes. The term is often contrasted with more temperate or justice-based language, though it can be applied to real people and real situations where the person appears to seek vengeance rather than reconciliation.

Related terms: Vindictive, revengeful, retaliation, retribution. Note that while closely related, vindictive emphasizes spite and punitive emotion, whereas vengeful emphasizes pursuing vengeance in response to a wrong.