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avenge — to take action in retaliation for a wrong or harm done to oneself or another

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to take action in retaliation for a wrong or harm done to oneself or another

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈvendʒ/

Example Sentences

  • The superhero team gathered to avenge their fallen leader, just like the Avengers.
  • My cat knocked over my coffee, so I avenged myself by hiding all its toys.
  • The knight swore to avenge his king's murder.

avenge

VERB

[/əˈvendʒ/]

to take action in retaliation for a wrong or harm done to oneself or another

The young knight returns to avenge his fallen mentor at the tyrant's gate.
💡 Concept

The young knight returns to avenge his fallen mentor at the tyrant's gate.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈvendʒ/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈvendʒ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixa--
Rootveng

Origin

Avenge derives from Latin vindicare, meaning 'to claim' or 'to assert a rightful claim'. The prefix ad- (toward) was added to form advindicare, eventually evolving through Old French venger before entering Middle English. The word carries the sense of restoring justice rather than mere retribution.

Breakdown

a- (ad-, toward/to) + -venge (from Latin vindicare, to claim or assert rights). The Latin root vindicare combines vindic- (related to 'vindex', an avenger or claimant) with the infinitive suffix -are.

🎵Rhyme

revenge
avenge
challenge

🔗Collocations

avenge someone's death
avenge a wrong
avenge an insult
avenge a betrayal
vow to avenge
avenge oneself
avenge a defeat

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The superhero team gathered to avenge their fallen leader, just like the Avengers.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat knocked over my coffee, so I avenged myself by hiding all its toys.”

“The knight swore to avenge his king's murder.”

“She avenged her team's earlier loss by scoring the winning goal.”

📚Related Words

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