ENGLISH
REFERENCE

avenge

v.
C1 Advanced US //əˈvɛndʒ// UK //ɐvˈɛndʒ// avenge Archaic

v. to punish someone for a wrong they did to you or someone you care about. You do this to get justice or feel better after a bad event.

v. to inflict harm or punishment in return for a wrong or injury sustained by oneself or another. Typically implies a pursuit of justice or retribution for a perceived moral violation.


SIMPLE

He promised to avenge his brother's death.

CONTEXTUAL

The hero spent years training in the mountains so he could finally return and avenge his family.

COMPLEX

In many classical tragedies, the protagonist is driven by a moral obligation to avenge a fallen kinsman, even when such actions lead to their own inevitable destruction.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English avengen, borrowed from Old French avengier, from a- (“upon”) + vengier, from Latin vindicō, vindicāre.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, usually the person or act being punished.

Pitfall

He wanted to revenge his fatherHe wanted to avenge his fatherLearners often use 'revenge' as a verb, but 'avenge' is the correct verb form for seeking justice for another person.

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