Revenge: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that it is more effective to wait and plan carefully before seeking revenge, rather than acting impulsively or emotionally

"Revenge is more effective when delivered calmly and at the right time — revenge is a dish best served cold."

"He spent months planning his response, because revenge is a dish best served cold and with patience."

used to imply that seeking revenge or retribution for a wrongdoing only leads to a never-ending cycle of retaliation and violence, ultimately causing harm to everyone involved

"Seeking revenge only causes more harm — an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

"Every retaliation escalated the conflict further — an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

used to caution against violent or vengeful actions, as it suggests that such actions can lead to a cycle of violence and revenge that is difficult to break

"Violence invites more violence — blood will have blood."

"The cycle of retaliation continued for years — blood will have blood."

used to imply that the most effective way to retaliate against someone who has wronged one is to let go of the anger and move on with one's life, rather than seeking revenge or holding a grudge

"The best way to get back at someone is to move on — to forget a wrong is the best revenge."

"She stopped thinking about what had been done to her and focused on her future — to forget a wrong is the best revenge."

used to imply that it is not justifiable to respond to a bad act with another bad act, and that two wrongs do not make a right

"Doing a wrong thing to counter another wrong does not make it right — two blacks do not make a white."

"Lying to cover up a previous mistake only deepened the problem, since two blacks do not make a white."

used to imply that responding to a wrong or injustice with another wrong or injustice does not make the situation better or right

"Responding to a wrong with another wrong solves nothing — two wrongs do not make a right."

"He had been treated unfairly but retaliating would not help — two wrongs do not make a right."

used to imply that in response to being wronged, one should seek justice or revenge in a calm and calculated manner, rather than reacting with anger or frustration

"He planned his revenge."

"When his business partner betrayed him, he decided not to get mad but to get even by building an even more successful company that eventually outperformed his former partner's firm."

used to suggest that it is acceptable to retaliate against someone who has wronged one in the same manner

"He insulted me, turnabout is fair play."

"She pointed out that having the other side present first was only fair — turnabout is fair play."

used to imply that there is a sense of satisfaction or pleasure in getting even with someone who has wronged one

"Getting back at someone feels satisfying — revenge is sweet."

"She finally had the chance to correct the record publicly — revenge is sweet."