vengeance

[ven-juh ns] /ˈvɛn dʒəns/
noun
1.
infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge:
But have you the right to vengeance?
2.
an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble:
to take one's vengeance.
3.
the desire for revenge:
a man full of vengeance.
4.
Obsolete. hurt; injury.
5.
Obsolete. curse; imprecation.
Idioms
6.
with a vengeance,
  1. with force or violence.
  2. greatly; extremely.
  3. to an unreasonable, excessive, or surprising degree:
    He attacked the job with a vengeance.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English < Old French, equivalent to vengi(er) to avenge (see venge) + -ance -ance
Synonyms
1. requital, retaliation. See revenge.
Antonyms
1. forgiveness.
British Dictionary definitions for with a vengeance

vengeance

/ˈvɛndʒəns/
noun
1.
the act of or desire for taking revenge; retributive punishment
2.
with a vengeance, (intensifier): the 70's have returned with a vengeance
Word Origin
C13: from Old French, from venger to avenge, from Latin vindicāre to punish; see vindicate
Word Origin and History for with a vengeance

vengeance

n.

c.1300, from Anglo-French vengeaunce, Old French vengeance "revenge," from vengier "take revenge," from Latin vindicare "to set free, claim, avenge" (see vindicate).

Vengeance is mine, ... saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. [Paul to the Romans, xii:19-20]

Idioms and Phrases with with a vengeance

with a vengeance

With great violence or energy; also, to an extreme degree. For example, The cottage was filthy and Ruth began cleaning with a vengeance , or December has turned cold with a vengeance . This expression was first recorded in 1533. Also see with a will

vengeance

see: with a vengeance