avenge

[uh-venj]

verb (used with object)

avenged, avenging 

1. to take vengeance or exact satisfaction for.

   to avenge a grave insult.

   Antonyms: forgive

2. to take vengeance on behalf of.

   He avenged his brother.

avenge

/ əˈvɛndʒ /

verb

1. (usually tr) to inflict a punishment in retaliation for (harm, injury, etc) done to (a person or persons); take revenge for or on behalf of

   to avenge a crime

   to avenge a murdered friend

Usage

The use of avenge with a reflexive pronoun was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable: she avenged herself on the man who killed her daughter

Other Word Forms

• avenger noun
• avengeful adjective
• avengingly adverb
• unavenged adjective
• unavenging adjective
• unavengingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenge¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English avengen, from Old French avengier, equivalent to a- prefix meaning “toward, increase” ( a- ⁵ ) + vengier, from Latin vindicāre; vindicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of avenge¹

C14: from Old French avengier, from vengier, from Latin vindicāre; see _vengeance , _vindicate

Synonym Study

Avenge, revenge both imply to inflict pain or harm in return for pain or harm inflicted on oneself or those persons or causes to which one feels loyalty. The two words were formerly interchangeable, but have been differentiated until they now convey widely diverse ideas. Avenge is now restricted to inflicting punishment as an act of retributive justice or as a vindication of propriety: to avenge a murder by bringing the criminal to trial. Revenge implies inflicting pain or harm to retaliate for real or fancied wrongs; a reflexive pronoun is often used with this verb: Iago wished to revenge himself upon Othello.

Example Sentences

In a repeat of last year's showpiece, fourth seed Pegula was on course to avenge her defeat by Sabalenka as the American home hope grabbed the opening set.

From BBC

The Pumas avenged last weekend's 41-24 defeat in Cordoba that had seen the All Blacks return to the top of the world rankings.

From BBC

The Highlanders ran the ball again and again in a 50-16 victory over North Hollywood on Thursday night, avenging a loss to the Huskies in last year’s City Section playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times

They have won six successive Six Nations Grand Slams, avenged that defeat by the Black Ferns in each of the teams' past three meetings and are well clear at the top of the world rankings.

From BBC

As long as the “Epstein files” existed more in the realm of fantasy, right-wingers could enjoy role-playing the avenging heroes without the worry that it could come back to haunt them.

From Salon

Related Words

• vindicate