Definition of: avenge

(ə·venj′) v.t. a·venged, a·veng·ing
1. To take vengeance or exact exemplary punishment for, as in behalf of a person or persons.
2. To inflict revenge upon, as for an act or insult.
—v.i.
3. To take vengeance. [<OF avengier <a- to (<L ad-) + vengier punish <L vindicare avenge]
—a·veng′er noun
—a·veng′ing adjective
—a·veng′ing·ly adverb Synonyms: punish, retaliate, revenge, vindicate, visit. To avenge is to visit some offense with fitting punishment; to revenge is to inflict harm or suffering upon another through personal anger and resentment. See REVENGE. Antonyms: see synonyms for PARDON.