avenge

verb

ə-ˈvenj 

avenged; avenging

transitive verb

1

: to take vengeance for or on behalf of

vowed to avenge their murdered father

2

: to exact satisfaction for (a wrong) by punishing the wrongdoer

was determined to avenge the assault

avenger noun

Synonyms

• redress
• requite
• retaliate
• revenge
• venge [archaic]

Examples of avenge in a Sentence

The brothers vowed to avenge the death of their father.

They vowed to avenge their father by capturing and punishing his killer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 6-foot-7 center scored 17 points, pulled down seven boards and blocked six shots in a 72-65 win over LSU in the regional final, avenging a Sweet 16 loss to those same Tigers in Albany at this time a year ago. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025

Brooklyn will be looking to avenge a 120-101 home loss to Dallas on March 24. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025

But Heat fans clearly weren’t foaming at the mouth to avenge their 31-41 squad. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

William has a soothing voice (Hopkins is ideal for the role) that belies his goal — to torture Eddie, including playing polka music loudly, to avenge a tragedy from his past. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French avenger, from a- (from Latin ad-) + venger to avenge — more at vengeance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing avenge

• avenge oneself

Rhymes for avenge

• revenge

Kids Definition

avenge

verb

ə-ˈvenj 

avenged; avenging

: to take vengeance for (an action) or on behalf of (a person)

avenger noun