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

• 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 loss for the team became a little less meaningful considering Sandro Wagner's side avenged its loss to Essen on the same day. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025

So Stevie sets out to avenge Sam's death and teams up with Ray, her boss and mentor, who uses the 1997 murders as a playbook. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 July 2025

Following a trail of evidence along the west coast, the Women's Murder Club pledges to avenge Jacobi's death before the killer can take another one of their own. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 17 July 2025

In 2019, Mercado avenged that loss to Zarika, beating her by decision and taking her title. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 July 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