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

The work reflects on the Greek myth of Orestes—the son who murdered his mother, Clytemnestra, to avenge the death of his father, Agamemnon. — Zehra Jumabhoy, Artforum, 25 June 2026

Ruthye needs someone to avenge the slaughter of her family at the hands of Krem of the Yellow Hills. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

France, a dynamic team that’s the betting favorite to win it all, is seeking to avenge its final loss to Argentina from 2022. — Sean Gregory, Time, 24 June 2026

Vanquishing the game’s greatest player gave Chelsea the chance to avenge their Champions League final penalty shootout heartbreak against Manchester United four years earlier. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 24 June 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