Revenge

Here follows the definition of the words revenge and avenge + the difference between revenge and avenge. Both words are about repaying a wrong. The differences between them have to do with grammar and shades of meaning, though there is considerable overlap in meaning, dictated by usage over time. Grammatically speaking, avenge is a verb only; revenge is a verb and more usually a noun. Avenge traditionally relates not only to repaying a wrong but to getting justice on somebody else's behalf as a remedy for that wrong. Revenge traditionally relates to getting even with an adversary by inflicting punishment or harm. Though both avengeand revenge can be used as transitive verbs with reflexive pronouns, revenge is commoner in this use: The dictatorship avenged itself on the partisans' radio station by burning it to the ground; As a victim of a hate crime, she finally avenged herself on the perpetrators.