the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life; Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord--Romans 12:19; For vengeance I would do nothing. This nation is too great to look for mere revenge--James Garfield; he swore vengeance on the man who betrayed him; the swiftness of divine retribution

[ Syn: retribution , payback ]