avenge oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avenge oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of seeking revenge or retribution for a wrong done to oneself. Example: "After being wronged by his colleague, he felt compelled to avenge himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

'The greatest delight,' he told Kamenev, 'is to mark one's enemy, prepare everything, avenge oneself thoroughly and then go to sleep.' It would not have happened without Stalin.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Have you ever been criticized as a 'panda hugger' in the U.S.?" In a searing response to the recent spate of school killings in China, Han Han, the liberal blogger and author, wrote that attacking school children has become "the most effective way of avenging oneself against society".

The New Yorker

Avenge them".

Independent

"I will avenge them".

The New York Times

White people will avenge me".

The New Yorker

Sons scheming to avenge fathers.

The New York Times

But Avengers gotta avenge.

The Guardian - Film

We will avenge this".

The New York Times

"God will avenge us".

The New Yorker

"I will avenge you.

The Guardian

"One must show oneself deserving," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avenge oneself" when you want to emphasize the personal and reflexive nature of seeking revenge; the action is directly related to a wrong suffered by the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "avenge oneself" when the action is being done on behalf of someone else. Use "avenge" + the object of the avenging instead; for example, "avenge her death" instead of "avenge oneself on her death".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avenge oneself" functions as a verb phrase with a reflexive pronoun, indicating that the action of avenging is directed back to the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and expresses the act of seeking retribution for a personal wrong.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avenge oneself" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon way to describe seeking retribution for a personal wrong. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It is primarily found in news and media contexts. While there are various alternatives, such as "get revenge" or "take revenge", "avenge oneself" emphasizes the personal and reflexive nature of the action. Remember to reserve it for situations where the action is directed back to the subject and avoid using it when avenging on behalf of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get revenge

Focuses on the act of revenge but doesn't specify who is taking it.

take revenge

Similar to "get revenge", emphasizing the action of taking revenge.

exact retribution

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "avenge oneself".

settle the score

Implies a previous wrong that needs to be balanced.

seek vengeance

Highlights the pursuit of vengeance rather than the act itself.

pay back

Suggests a direct and often reciprocal action in response to harm.

get even

A more informal way of expressing the desire for retribution.

repay in kind

Implies responding to an action with a similar action.

retaliate

Emphasizes a direct and often aggressive response to an attack or harm.

vindicate oneself

Focuses on clearing one's name or proving oneself right, which can be a form of revenge.

FAQs

What does "avenge oneself" mean?

The phrase "avenge oneself" means to take revenge or seek retribution for a wrong that was done directly to you.

Is it correct to say "avenge oneself"?

Yes, "avenge oneself" is grammatically correct, though it's less common than alternatives like "get revenge" or "take revenge".

How can I use "avenge oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "avenge oneself" in a sentence like this: "After being deeply wronged, he vowed to avenge himself."

What are some alternatives to "avenge oneself"?

Some alternatives to "avenge oneself" include "get revenge", "take revenge", or "seek retribution". The best choice depends on the specific context.