avenge

verb

\ ə-ˈvenj

avenged; avenging

Definition of avenge

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

Other Words from avenge Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about avenge

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Synonyms for avenge

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

On July 15th Croatia’s footballers, spurred on to avenge defeat at the hands of France in the World Cup semi-finals in 1998, take on les bleus again in Moscow. — The Economist, "Croatia stands on the cusp of World Cup victory," 13 July 2018 The win gave the South seven wins in the past eight years and avenged last year’s North victory. — Katherine Dunn, baltimoresun.com, "Kelly, Farrare help South sprint to 22-15 win in Under Armour All-America Boys Lacrosse Game," 1 July 2018 After South Korea avenged defeat in the 2002 semi final, Germany are the fourth World Cup holders to be dumped out at the group stage in the last 16 years. — SI.com, "World Cup Curse: Germany are Just the Latest Reigning Champions Eliminated in Group Stage," 28 June 2018 The victory was satisfying for Newgarden, who hadn't had a top-five finish since Alabama, but also helped avenge Penske's narrow defeat at the hands of Dixon last season. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Josef Newgarden rebounds with win at Road America," 24 June 2018 About an hour before the men finished, Katie Hall (UnitedHealthcare), 31, of Saratoga, avenged her one-second runner-up finish last year and won the three-day 187.7-mile women’s race by 29 seconds over Tayler Wiles (Trek-Drops). — James Raia, sacbee, "Colombians dominate Tour of California. Why it was a ‘tough week’ for area contenders | The Sacramento Bee," 19 May 2018 Tennessee went 30-5 that season and avenged their 1990 defeat by beating Virginia, 70-67, in another overtime game to win the 1991 N.C.A.A. title. — Daniel E. Slotnik, New York Times, "Daedra Charles, 49, Hall of Fame Center for Tennessee, Dies," 19 Apr. 2018 Prosecutors said Ullah wanted to cause carnage to avenge U.S. aggression toward the Islamic State group. — Associated Press, Houston Chronicle, "Bangladeshi man pleads not guilty in NYC subway bomb attack," 11 Jan. 2018 He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "'Slender Man' movie will not be shown in Milwaukee-area theaters due to stabbing," 9 Aug. 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.