Confusing Words: Avenge (verb) and Revenge (verb/noun)
Meaning:
Avenge (to take vengeance for or on behalf of.)
Revenge (the action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.)
Clarification: Avenge and revenge are likely to say two words depicting two different ideas.
Avenge vs Revenge – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
As you can see that the above words are not completely homophones. However, they have –avenge as a common sound. The initial sounds are different in both of these words. Besides pronunciations, meanings of these words also differ.
So, why people feel confusion in getting avenge and revenge?
The answer is their meanings. The meanings of both avenge and revenge are similar enough to create confusion. It is important for the writers to keep these words apart because they do mean same things but with a slight difference.
Let us remove the confusion by defining each term separately and correctly.
Avenge
This particular word is used as a verb within sentences. Avenge means to punish someone in order to enact justice.
1. The man was seeking to avenge the murder of his only sister.
2. He was avenged his friend’s discomfort by seeing that the naughty boys got expelled from school.
3. A cheated husband does not need to avenge his wife. Her lover will do that. (Etienne Ray)
So, you see that avenge is to seek justice. You have heard or watched the film ‘The Avengers’. There is a team of superheroes who gives their services to everyone to make peace on Earth. You can remember the verb ‘avenge’ from The Avengers.
Revenge
This particular word is used as a verb or a noun. Revenge means retaliation, reprisal or vengeance. Revenge can be taken as more personal. It has nothing to do with justice. The only intention is to pay back by giving harm to someone.
1. He was seeking revenge for his sister’s murder and he wished to give same pain to the killer. (as a noun)
2. His way to revenge his discomfort was so lethal. (as a verb)
3. Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, blood and revenge are hammering in my head. (William Shakespeare) (as a noun)
Got the Difference?
So from the above discussion, the difference between avenge and revenge has been cleared. You avenge to punish someone but your intention is to seek justice. You want to teach a lesson to someone who hurt someone else. Revenge can be dangerous sometimes. It is more like a personal satisfaction because it has no concerns with justice.
Avenge = To Enact Justice
Revenge = A Personal Satisfaction
What Did You Learn?
Avenge and revenge are likely to say two words depicting two different ideas. To keep the writings clear and understandable, you have to be excellent in word choice. Avenge means to punish someone in order to enact justice whereas, revenge means retaliation, reprisal or vengeance.