take vengeance

USAGE SUMMARY

"take vengeance" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English in certain contexts.
It means to seek revenge or to retaliate against someone who has wronged you. Example: The protagonist swore to take vengeance on the people who had killed her parents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Try to save yourselves and take vengeance for us".

The New York Times

I mean if someone killed someone would they take vengeance?

Columbia University

One of the survivors told me, "May God take vengeance on the people who did this".

The New Yorker

The first one the girl is taken, the second one they take vengeance.

The Guardian - Film

But one cannot take vengeance against Mother Nature, she said: "It's a natural disaster.

The New York Times

The scenario that the Shiites could decide to take vengeance against the ruling Sunnis is not at all far-fetched.

The New Yorker

This system, "Dead Hand," gave Moscow the ability to take vengeance after a preëmptive American nuclear attack.

The New Yorker

The message people seem to be imbibing from these novels and from their preachers, however, is not: Take vengeance.

The New York Times - Books

But to his own troops he declares, "The time has come to take vengeance on the Muslims".

The New York Times

Surely God would take vengeance upon Constantinople, as he had upon Sodom and Gomorrah, should the homosexual persist in his "unnatural" ways.

Encyclopedia Britannica

God will take vengeance for this!" An elderly cleaning woman from Egy Lab had followed the Brotherhood supporters upstairs, and now she challenged them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take vengeance" when emphasizing a deliberate act of revenge following a perceived wrong. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is taking the action and against whom.

Common error

While "take vengeance" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic or formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "get even" or "settle the score" in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take vengeance" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of seeking retribution for a perceived wrong. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing. Examples show it used to describe deliberate acts of revenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take vengeance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying the act of seeking retribution or revenge. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's considered correct and is deployed across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Academic writings. While alternatives like "seek revenge" or "get even" exist, "take vengeance" often implies a more calculated and deliberate act. When using "take vengeance", ensure the context aligns with its somewhat formal tone and accurately conveys the intention of retaliatory action. Be mindful of the risk of sounding overly dramatic in everyday conversation and choose more casual alternatives where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek revenge

Emphasizes the active pursuit of revenge, using a more common and direct phrasing.

exact retribution

Replaces "vengeance" with "retribution" maintaining a formal tone and the idea of deserved punishment.

avenge oneself

Focuses on the act of avenging as a personal action, shifting the focus slightly from the abstract concept of vengeance.

get even

An informal way of saying "take vengeance", implying a desire for balance after being wronged.

visit retribution

Implies bringing retribution upon someone, focusing on the act of inflicting punishment.

settle the score

Suggests that there is a debt to be paid and action needs to be taken to ensure this is done.

respond in kind

Emphasizes responding to an action with a similar action, implying revenge.

repay in kind

Highlights the act of retaliation by inflicting something similar to what was received.

mete out punishment

Focuses on the act of administering punishment, usually in a formal context.

get satisfaction

Focuses on achieving a sense of satisfaction through retaliatory actions.

FAQs

How can I use "take vengeance" in a sentence?

You can use "take vengeance" to describe a deliberate act of revenge. For example, "The hero swore to "take vengeance" on those who wronged his family."

What are some alternatives to "take vengeance"?

Alternatives include "seek revenge", "avenge oneself", or "get even", depending on the context.

Is "take vengeance" a formal expression?

Yes, "take vengeance" is generally considered a formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "get payback" or "settle the score" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "take vengeance" and "get revenge"?

"Take vengeance" often implies a more calculated and deliberate act of retribution, whereas "get revenge" is a more general term for retaliating against someone.