# avenger

/əˈvɛndʒɝ/ (US) · /ɐvˈɛndʒɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/avenger
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

someone who punishes a person for doing something wrong or harmful to others. You usually do this to get justice for a friend or family member.

For teachers: one who inflicts punishment or retribution in response to a perceived wrong or injury. Often implies a sense of moral justification or personal duty to rectify a grievance.

## Examples

- He saw himself as a secret avenger for the poor.
- In the classic story, the hero returns home as an avenger to punish those who stole his family's land.
- The protagonist functions less as a traditional hero and more as a cold avenger, driven by a singular obsession to dismantle the criminal empire that ruined his life.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the victim or the crime being punished.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.