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

First, the Panthers will need to avenge their Week 10 home loss to the Saints (3-10) in New Orleans on Sunday. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025

Crowe believes that Maximus fathering a son with a woman other than his wife tarnishes his character's legacy, as the gladiator's primary motivation in the original film is to avenge the deaths of his wife and son. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has his team motivated to avenge their 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinal last year. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

The Crimson Tide’s best win (24-21 at Georgia in September) was just avenged. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 7 Dec. 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