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To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

avenge, revenge, vengeance

Avenge means to seek justice or to right wrongs fairly.

  • In suing, Janet simply wanted to avenge her losses.

Revenge means to look for reprisal.

  • I will revenge myself if it’s the last thing I do!

Both verbs are followed by the preposition on or for: avenge (or revenge) oneself on someone, for something.

  • Marjorie revenged herself on her unfaithful husband by reporting his illegal activities to the police.
  • Was the murder of Claudius an act of vengeance? Or was Hamlet merely avenging himself for his father’s death?

The nouns revenge and vengeance are followed by on.

  • For stealing the secret of fire, Zeus exacted revenge on Prometheus.
  • The hero of the play swore to have vengeance on his enemies.