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

While embarking on mission to avenge Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), the duo cross paths with a dangerous militant faction known as the Washington Liberation Front (W.L.F.) led by Isaac (Jeffrey Wright). —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 May 2025

James Hawes’ The Amateur, with Rami Malek as a low-key CIA employee intent on avenging his wife’s death, is based on a 1981 Robert Littell thriller that has been adapted before. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 May 2025

In many regions of the Middle East, killings decades ago claiming to avenge a family's honor went unreported to the police. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 6 May 2025

In an attempt to avenge her daughter’s death, Irene Kelly (McManus) travels through parallel universes, killing her daughter’s murderer over and over again. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 5 May 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