Avenge

/əˈvɛndʒ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to take vengeance for or on behalf of someone; to retaliate against an injury or offense.

He vowed to avenge his brother's wrongful death.

to take revenge on behalf of (someone).

She wanted to avenge her family by bringing the criminals to justice.

to harm someone in retaliation for an injury they have caused.

The hero set out to avenge the destruction of his village.

to inflict harm in return for an injury or offense.

They plotted to avenge the insult they had received.

to seek retribution.

He could not find peace until he avenged the betrayal.

Middle English, from Old French 'avengier', meaning 'to take vengeance.'

avenge one's death

to seek justice for someone's death.

avenge a wrong

to retaliate for an injustice or harm done.

revenge

the act of retaliating against someone for a wrongdoing.

retaliation

the act of returning something, often a harm, in response to another act.

get your own back

He finally got his own back after years of being bullied.

payback

She plotted her payback after being cheated.