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.
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