Avenge
/əˈvɛndʒ/noun
To inflict punishment in return for a wrong or injury.
Did you know?Avenge comes through Old French from Latin vindicāre, a verb tied to claiming, defending, and exacting justice—so the word’s history is less “revenge fantasy” and more “formal retribution.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weid-
“To see, know, or perceive; the root behind ideas of legal witnessing and proof.”
Latin
Latin
vindex
“A defender, claimant, or avenger; one who asserts a right or punishes a wrong.”
Latin
Latin
vindicāre
“To claim, defend, set free, or punish as justice required.”
Old French
Old French
avengier
“To avenge, punish, or take revenge for a wrong.”
Middle English
English
avenge
“To exact vengeance or punish in return for an injury.”
Modern English
English
avenge
“To inflict punishment in return for a wrong or injury.”