From Diffen

[Edit Comparison Table]
Avenge Revenge
Definition:inflict punishment as an act of retributive justiceinflict pain or harm to retaliate for real or fancied wrongs
Synonyms:vindicatereprisal, retribution, vengeance
Antonyms:forgiveforgiveness

Avenge is a verb. To avenge is to punish a wrongdoing with the intent of seeing justice done. Revenge can be used as a noun or a verb. It is more personal, less concerned with justice and more about retaliation by inflicting harm.

According to Dictionary.com,

Avenge and revenge both imply to inflict pain or harm in return for pain or harm inflicted on oneself or those persons or causes to which one feels loyalty. The two words were formerly interchangeable, but have been differentiated until they now convey widely diverse ideas. Avenge is now restricted to inflicting punishment as an act of retributive justice or as a vindication of propriety: to avenge a murder by bringing the criminal to trial. Revenge implies inflicting pain or harm to retaliate for real or fancied wrongs; a reflexive pronoun is often used with this verb: Iago wished to revenge himself upon Othello.

Contents

[edit] Example

Her father avenged her death by working to have the man arrested, tried, and convicted, while her boyfriend took revenge by killing the man's wife.

[edit] Dictionary Meanings

[edit] Avenge

verb (used with object), a·venged, a·veng·ing.

  1. to take vengeance or exact satisfaction for: to avenge a grave insult.
  2. to take vengeance on behalf of: He avenged his brother.

Synonym: vindicate.

Antonym: forgive.

Related forms

  • a·venge·ful, adjective
  • a·veng·er, noun
  • a·veng·ing·ly, adverb

[edit] Revenge

verb (used with object)

  1. to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, esp. in a resentful or vindictive spirit: He revenged his murdered brother.
  2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge: He revenged his brother's murder.

verb (used without object)

  1. to take revenge.

noun

  1. the act of revenging; retaliation for injuries or wrongs; vengeance.
  2. something done in vengeance.
  3. the desire to revenge; vindictiveness.
  4. an opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction.

Related forms

  • re·venge·less, adjective
  • re·veng·er, noun
  • re·veng·ing·ly, adverb

[edit] See Also

[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://www.diffen.com/difference/Avenge_vs_Revenge"


Avenge vs. Revenge - Chat Room
Edit Article
Diffen on Facebook

Comments: Avenge vs Revenge  [Add Comments]

There are no comments for Avenge vs Revenge. You can post a comment.