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 Stars and Golden Knights played playoff series in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024 — with the Stars falling to the Golden Knights in the 2023 Western Conference finals before avenging that loss in a thrilling Game 7 win in the first round of 2024. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points, Jalen Johnson had 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 117-106 on Wednesday night to avenge a lopsided home loss. —CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

Inspired by real events, the film tells the story of a frontiersman in the 1800s who is left for dead and must survive a brutal winter in the wilderness before returning to avenge his son’s death. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

Kendrick De Luna and Landon Seaman each added 10 points and Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro contributed nine points and six rebounds for the Titans (10-12 overall, 5-5 Big West), who avenged a 94-91 home loss to the Mustangs (7-14, 3-6) in the conference opener in December. —Oc Register, 25 Jan. 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