Avenge vs. Revenge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Avenge means to inflict harm in retaliation for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another, while revenge refers to the action of inflicting hurt or harm for a wrong suffered at someone's hands.
Key Differences
Avenge is typically motivated by a desire for justice, often on behalf of others. Revenge, however, is driven by personal vendetta and is focused on retribution for oneself.
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Dec 06, 2023
Avenging is often seen as a righteous or justified act in response to a profound wrong. In contrast, seeking revenge is frequently viewed as a pursuit of personal vengeance, often associated with negative emotions like anger and spite.
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Dec 06, 2023
Actions to avenge are usually proportionate to the original harm and aim to restore balance. Revenge actions can be excessive and driven by a desire to cause equivalent or greater harm.
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Avenge can have a legal or moral undertone, implying a response to injustice. Revenge often implies a personal, extrajudicial response, disregarding legal or moral norms.
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Dec 06, 2023
In literature, avenging heroes are often portrayed as noble, whereas characters seeking revenge might be depicted as conflicted or morally ambiguous.
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Comparison Chart
Typical Usage
Used to describe an action taken on behalf of others
Used to describe a personal action of retaliation
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Emotional Connotation
Often associated with justice and rectitude
Often associated with anger and personal vendetta
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Moral Judgment
Generally viewed as more justifiable and noble
Often seen as morally questionable or negative
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Social Perception
Seen as an act of vindication or defense
Seen as a personal quest for retribution
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Avenge and Revenge Definitions
Avenge
To take vengeance on behalf of.
He vowed to avenge his fallen comrades.
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Revenge
The act of punishing or harming someone in response to a harm done.
The movie's plot revolved around a character's quest for revenge.
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Nov 25, 2023
Avenge
To take vengeance for oneself or another.
The superhero avenged the crimes against the city.
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Revenge
The action of inflicting harm in return for an injury or wrong.
He took revenge against those who betrayed him.
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Avenge
To seek retribution for a crime or wrongdoing.
The government acted to avenge the terrorist attacks.
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Revenge
A desire for retaliation.
Revenge consumed his thoughts after the incident.
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Avenge
To exact satisfaction for a wrong by punishing the wrongdoer.
The knight sought to avenge the injustice done to the villagers.
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Revenge
Vindictive retaliation for a grievance.
His revenge was swift and unexpected.
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Avenge
To retaliate for an injury or wrong.
She decided to avenge the betrayal.
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Avenge
To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge
Avenge a murder.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
(Archaic) To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation
Took revenge on her tormentors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Avenge
(transitive) To take vengeance (for); to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer.
To avenge the murder of his brother
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness
He did it out of revenge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat
After the loss, he demanded that he be given his revenge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
Something done in retaliation, especially a defeat of a rival who has been victorious.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
Any form of personal, retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.
Indifference is the sweetest revenge.
When I left my wife, she tried to set fire to the house in revenge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Avenge
To take vengeance for; to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer.
He will avenge the blood of his servants.
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bonesLie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold.
He had avenged himself on them by havoc such as England had never before seen.
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Revenge
(transitive) To take revenge for (a particular harmful action) or on behalf of (its victim); to avenge.
Arsenal revenged their loss to Manchester United last time with a 5–0 drubbing this time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Avenge
To treat revengefully; to wreak vengeance on.
Thy judgment in avenging thine enemies.
I avenge myself upon another, or I avenge another, or I avenge a wrong. I revenge only myself, and that upon another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
To inflict harm in return for, as an injury, insult, etc.; to exact satisfaction for, under a sense of injury; to avenge; - followed either by the wrong received, or by the person or thing wronged, as the object, or by the reciprocal pronoun as direct object, and a preposition before the wrong done or the wrongdoer.
To revenge the death of our fathers.
The gods are just, and will revenge our cause.
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius.
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Avenge
Take revenge for a perceived wrong;
He wants to avenge the murder of his brother
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Revenge
To inflict injury for, in a spiteful, wrong, or malignant spirit; to wreak vengeance for maliciously.
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Revenge
The act of revenging; vengeance; retaliation; a returning of evil for evil.
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
The disposition to revenge; a malignant wishing of evil to one who has done us an injury.
Revenge now goesTo lay a complot to betray thy foes.
The indulgence of revenge tends to make men more savage and cruel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
Take revenge for a perceived wrong;
He wants to avenge the murder of his brother
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Oct 19, 2023
Revenge
Personal retribution for a perceived wrong or injury.
In a fit of rage, she plotted her revenge.
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Nov 25, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do avenge and revenge have the same meaning?
They are similar, but avenge is usually on behalf of someone else, while revenge is a personal act.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is the meaning of avenge?
Avenge means to inflict harm in retaliation for a wrongdoing, typically on behalf of oneself or another.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does revenge mean?
Revenge refers to the action of inflicting harm or punishment in return for a perceived wrong or injury.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can revenge be legal?
Revenge is generally considered a personal, often unlawful, response to a grievance.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does revenge have to be violent?
Not necessarily, revenge can be non-violent, though it often involves harm.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is avenge used in legal contexts?
Avenge is not typically used in legal contexts, as it implies personal retaliation.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is avenge a common legal term?
No, avenge is more associated with personal justice, not legal proceedings.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is revenge associated with anger?
Yes, revenge is often driven by anger or a desire for retribution.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can avenge be used for minor offenses?
Avenge is typically used for serious wrongs, not minor offenses.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is revenge always negative?
Revenge is often seen negatively, as it involves personal retaliation.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can avenge be a motive in literature?
Yes, avenging a wrong is a common motif in literature and mythology.
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Can avenge be altruistic?
Avenge can be seen as more altruistic, as it's often on behalf of others.
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Is revenge a theme in psychology?
Yes, it's studied in terms of human behavior and emotional response.
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Can revenge be justified?
It depends on cultural and personal beliefs; legally, it's typically not justified.
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Does revenge have to be immediate?
No, revenge can be taken immediately or after a long period.
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How do cultures view revenge?
Cultural views on revenge vary, with some seeing it as necessary and others as harmful.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is avenge used in everyday language?
Less so; it's more common in dramatic or formal contexts.
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How is avenge used in historical contexts?
It's often used in the context of wars or conflicts, where one party seeks to avenge a past wrong.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can avenge involve protection?
Avenge can be motivated by a desire to protect others or uphold justice.
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Can governments avenge wrongs?
In a sense, through military or diplomatic actions in response to wrongs against the nation.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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