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 of avenge

• revenge
• retaliate
• punish

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 Dream drop to 4-2 on the season while Minnesota avenged their home opener loss and improved to 5-2. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Mir is focused on fulfilling his dad’s dreams of investing DarCo money in golf courses and country clubs, while Raj is focused on avenging their father’s death at the hands of his former lieutenant, Ahmad (Brian George). —Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 May 2026

Patrick Henry’s win against the Western League foe Dons avenges a 13-3 second-round playoff loss to Cathedral Catholic in the double-elimination playoffs. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

The second-seeded Rockets will be eagerly looking to avenge last year’s loss in the title game. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026

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