avenge

verb \ ə-ˈvenj \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of avenge

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

See avenge defined for English-language learners

See avenge defined for kids

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 of avenge from the Web

The exclamation point during that run came in the district final when the Eagles topped Pompano Beach 9-4, avenging a pair of regular season losses to the Golden Tornadoes.

— wells dusenbury, Sun-Sentinel.com, "North Broward Prep blanks LaBelle in regional quarterfinals," 9 May 2018
Cornerstone Charter is playing in a Class 3A region final for the third time in five seasons after avenging playoff losses each of the past two years against Lakeland Christian.

— j.c. carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "MDCA, CCA, Montverde one game away from softball state tournament," 8 May 2018
In the final a year later, Federer avenged the loss, rebounding from two sets down and 1-4 in the third to win in five sets over 3 hours 42 minutes.

— cindy shmerler, New York Times, "Key Biscayne Prepares to Say Goodbye to Pro Tennis," 30 Mar. 2018
The Washington Capitals can now turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Penguins and avenging some playoff disappointments.

— mitch stacy, baltimoresun.com, "Led by Ovechkin and Holtby, Capitals put away Blue Jackets in six games, get Penguins next," 24 Apr. 2018
Pitching dominance Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep avenged a loss to Paradise Valley, beating the Trojans 10-0, behind pitcher Zach Zdimal's dominant performance.

— richard obert, azcentral, "High school baseball roundup: Skaugrud brothers lead Sandra Day O'Connor win," 18 Apr. 2018
The victory also ended the Defenders' bid for an undefeated season and avenged a 36-33 loss in the final game of the regular season.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Vikings boys in seventh heaven with Delray/Boynton league hoops championship," 25 Mar. 2018
The Saints avenged last year’s second-round upset on their home court and returned the favor by defeating Hope College, 72-57, in the sectional final in Holland, Michigan.

— adam turer, Cincinnati.com, "Thomas More women's basketball gets back to Final Four, avenging last year's early exit," 13 Mar. 2018
That gave the Seawolves an enormous 47-34 advantage on the boards, and that's what helped them avenge a 104-78 bruising administered by Northwest Nazarene on Feb. 22.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "Goo’s buzzer-beater lifts UAA women to dramatic playoff victory," 10 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avenge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of avenge

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

avenge Synonyms

Synonyms

redress, requite, retaliate, revenge;

Near Antonyms

absolve, condone, excuse, forgive, pardon, remit;

chasten, chastise, correct, discipline;

right;

compensate, pay (back), recompense, repay;

Phrases

get even (for);

AVENGE Defined for English Language Learners

avenge

verb

Definition of avenge for English Language Learners

: to harm or punish someone who has harmed you or someone or something that you care about

AVENGE Defined for Kids

avenge

verb \ ə-ˈvenj \

Definition of avenge for Students

avenged; avenging

: to take revenge for

avenge a wrong

—

avenger

noun

Learn More about avenge

See words that rhyme with avenge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for avenge Spanish Central: Translation of avenge Nglish: Translation of avenge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of avenge for Arabic speakers

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avenge

Definition of avenge

avenger

Examples of avenge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of avenge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of avenge

avenge Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

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Phrases

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AVENGE Defined for English Language Learners

avenge

Definition of avenge for English Language Learners

AVENGE Defined for Kids

avenge

Definition of avenge for Students

avenger

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