avenge

/əˈvendʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈvendʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈvenj/ (ame, mw)

avenge — verb

  • avengepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • avengeshe / she / it
  • avengedpast simple
  • avenging-ing form

1. to make someone suffer for harming you or people close to you, because you belie

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make someone suffer for harming you or people close to you, because you believe that fairness or honour demands a response

例句

After the rebel attack destroyed her village, Sofia vowed to avenge her parents.

vowed to avenge her parents

In the ancient tale, the prince finally avenged his brother's murder with a bold plan.

avenged his brother's murder

同義詞
  • take revenge

    more common in everyday speech; 'avenge' carries a stronger moral-justice tone

  • retaliate

    can be used for minor or reciprocal actions; lacks the honour dimension of 'avenge'

  • pay back

    informal and can refer to favours or debts, not just harms

反義詞
  • forgive

    to stop feeling anger instead of punishing

  • pardon

    official release from punishment, opposite of exacting vengeance

文法句型

avenge + noun phrase (the wrong/harm suffered)

用法筆記

The direct object of 'avenge' is the wrong, harm, or death suffered — not the person who caused it. To name the guilty person, use 'avenge something on/upon someone' (formal) or use the noun phrase 'take revenge on someone'.

常見錯誤

❌She wanted to revenge her brother's death.
✅She wanted to avenge her brother's death.
💡'Revenge' is a noun in standard English; 'avenge' is the verb form.
❌He avenged on the thief who stole his car.
✅He avenged the theft of his car.
💡'Avenge' takes the harm as its direct object, not the person. Use 'take revenge on the thief' for the person.
❌The team avenge their loss every time they play.
✅The team seek revenge for their loss every time they play.
💡'Avenge' is too strong for minor setbacks and implies a serious moral wrong.