Revenge vs Avenge
As revenge and avenge fall among the many pairs of words in English language that have similar meanings but are not synonymous, one should know the difference between revenge and avenge if one is to use these words accurately. Many people, thinking such words like revenge and avenge to be the same, use them interchangeably, which is a wrong practice. Though having nearly same meaning, the words revenge and avenge are different and are used in different contexts. This article will attempt to remove any doubts from the minds of the readers especially those whose native language is not English.
What does Avenge mean?
Avenge is a verb. To avenge is to punish someone for his wrongdoing for the sake of justice. Alternatively, as the Oxford English dictionary gives the definition, avenge means ” inflict harm in return for (an injury or wrong done to oneself or another.” As a word, the verb avenge has its origins in Late Middle English. Avenger is a noun that is known as a derivative of the verb avenge.
What does Revenge mean?
While avenge is a verb, revenge can be both verb as well as a noun. Revenge also has similar meaning to avenge, but justice takes a back seat and the focus is to inflict harm on the other person by the use of violence. However, revenge can be an insult or a taunt in words and not necessarily physical in the true sense of the term. Moreover, revenge also has its origins in Late Middle English. When it comes to revenge, there are even phrases that use this word, revenge. For example, revenge is a dish best served (or eaten) cold. This is actually a popular proverb that means “vengeance is often more satisfying if it is not exacted immediately.”
‘America took revenge of 9/11 by killing Osama bin Laden.’
What is the difference between Revenge and Avenge?
To avenge is to take revenge of the wrongdoing of someone else for the sake of getting justice on behalf of someone else, usually your dear one.
America took revenge of 9/11 by killing Osama bin Laden.
Osama vowed to avenge the wrongdoing of American troops in Afghanistan.
You can see the difference between the usages of the two words from these examples.
• Both avenge and revenge are verbs having similar meanings though used in different contexts.
• While revenge is punishing the aggressor for causing harm to you, to avenge is to cause harm to someone who did wrong to someone who is dear to you.
• Avenge is a verb while revenge can be both verb as well as a noun.
If another person has harmed someone who is dear to you and you retaliate on his behalf, you are avenging the aggressor’s wrongdoing. Therefore, there is a difference between revenge and avenge. You take revenge to get even with someone who may have hurt you, but you vow to avenge for something done to someone you care about (that you perceive as wrong).
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