Revenge vs. Avenge
The two words share a retaliation idea but differ strongly in ordinary grammatical use. “Revenge” is commonly a noun, while “avenge” is a formal transitive verb; Cambridge also records verb uses of “revenge,” so the page avoids a false absolute rule.
“Revenge” is commonly a noun for retaliatory harm; “avenge” is a formal verb for punishing or acting in response to a wrong. “Revenge” also has recorded verb uses, so context and grammar matter.
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
“Avenge” is a formal verb meaning punish or harm in response to a wrong; “revenge” is very commonly a noun naming retaliatory harm, though dictionaries also record verb use.
Fast Test
If you need the noun, “revenge” is the ordinary choice. If you need the formal verb in a pattern such as “avenge a wrong / avenge someone,” use “avenge.”
Usage Boundary
Do not reduce the distinction to “avenge is always correct as a verb and revenge is never a verb”: Cambridge records verb uses of “revenge” too.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Revenge — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for “revenge” as harm/punishment in return for harm, including noun and verb uses.
- Avenge — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for formal verb “avenge,” including avenging a person or wrong.