REVENGE
(noun) the action of inflicting hurt or harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another
(verb) To inflict hurt or harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another
AVENGE
(verb) to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another
VENGEANCE
No matter what people might try to tell you, how vehemently they correct you, myself included (because it is my utter belief that when two words exist they must, I mean must, have two distinct meanings), “revenge” and “avenge,” when used as verbs, hold the same denotative meaning; their difference lies solely in their connotative meanings. “Revenge” holds a more personal, private emotional connection to the actions involved (such as revenging the death of a loved one) with little or no concern for moral judgement, whereas “avenge” holds a less personal, private emotional connection to actions involved (such as avenging the death of a celebrity) with a moral, call to justice tone. Now, whether you are revenging or avenging, you are exacting “vengeance” upon either party in both of the examples provided.
Since that muddied word confusion pool is no longer murky, I would like to point out that the television show, Revenge, which aired from 2011-2015 on ABC, inspired by the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, is a perfect example of how all three words could be used correctly, if you are familiar with the show. Without going into the entire complicated plot, the main character, Emily Thorne, seeks “revenge” (noun) for her troubled youth by “revenging” (or “avenging” because she does so for others too who she doesn't have strong, personal connections with throughout the show's run) (verbs) her father's death (murder) by exacting “vengeance” (noun) upon the people who she deemed responsible. Cute, right?
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