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

And Houston tries to continue its march toward avenging its loss in last year’s championship game. —The Sports Desk, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

Link — Dylan — ultimately wants to avenge his professor, this person that’s taken him in and taught him so much and changed his life. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026

In total, three Israeli soldiers have been killed in fighting in south Lebanon since Hezbollah drew the country into war by launching rocket attacks against Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader. —CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

It second victory in four days avenged last year’s National Women’s Soccer League playoff loss to the Thorns in Portland. —Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 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