avenge the wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avenge the wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of seeking justice or retribution for a perceived injustice or harm done to someone. Example: "He vowed to avenge the wrong done to his family by bringing the perpetrator to justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Odinga and his fellow party leaders are now determined to avenge the wrong they believe they have suffered.

The New York Times

As with Hamlet, her urgency is magnified by her utter powerlessness to avenge the wrong she sees.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

According to Thucydides, the official aim of the League was to "avenge the wrongs they suffered by ravaging the territory of the king".

Wikipedia

Lasker, who took the championship from Steinitz, wrote, "I who vanquished him must see to it that his great achievement, his theories should find justice, and I must avenge the wrongs he suffered".

Wikipedia

Some of these children have been forced to join military factions, while others have enlisted to escape poverty, abuse and discrimination – or to avenge the wrongs done to their own families.

Unicef

In the end, however, he escaped with his life, drove the cattle from Phylace to Pylos, avenged the wrong that had been done him, and gave the daughter of Neleus to his brother.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One thing that struck me about the views I heard in eastern Kentucky was the sense that Obama would appoint blacks to positions of power with the specific intention of avenging the wrongs of the past.

The New Yorker

For everything you have done these past twenty years!" He was nearly hysterical, but his answer was truthful: Putin's foreign policy at this moment is, in large part, about avenging the wrongs inflicted on Russia over the past decades, the insults and grievances borne by a generation.

The New Yorker

"Blessed are you, God, who takes up our grievance, judges our claim and avenges the wrongs against us.

Huffington Post

At the end of the public reading of the story of Esther we say a blessing: "Blessed are you, God, who takes up our grievance, judges our claim and avenges the wrongs against us.

Huffington Post

They want it to hurt in order to avenge the perceived wrongs of the last 50 years.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "avenge"; it implies a desire for retribution, which may not always be appropriate depending on the tone you wish to convey. Alternatives like "right the wrong" might be more suitable in certain contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "avenge the wrong" can sound overly dramatic or emotionally charged in formal or professional contexts. Opt for more neutral phrases like "rectify the situation" or "address the injustice" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avenge the wrong" functions as a verb phrase, where "avenge" is the verb indicating the action of seeking retribution and "the wrong" serves as the direct object, specifying what is being avenged. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts related to seeking justice or retribution for perceived injustices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avenge the wrong" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey a desire for retribution or justice following a perceived injustice. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and provides examples from varied sources such as news media, academic texts, and wikis. While not a particularly common phrase, "avenge the wrong" is used to express a commitment to correcting a perceived wrong, often with the goal of restoring balance. When considering its usage, it's important to be mindful of the potential for overly dramatic or emotionally charged connotations, and to consider more neutral alternatives in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avenge the injustice suffered

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "injustice suffered" which is a more complex noun phrase.

right the wrong

Focuses on correcting the injustice rather than seeking revenge.

seek retribution for the injustice

More formal and emphasizes the act of seeking compensation for the harm.

exacting revenge for the harm done

Highlights the vengeful aspect and the act of causing harm in return.

take vengeance for the offense

Similar to 'exacting revenge' but uses 'vengeance' which is a stronger term.

retaliate against the transgression

Emphasizes a direct response to a specific act of wrongdoing.

punish the evildoer for their deeds

Focuses on the act of punishing someone for their evil actions.

settle the score for the injury

Informal and suggests balancing things out after being wronged.

get even for the mistreatment

Informal and focuses on achieving equality after being treated unfairly.

vindicate the aggrieved party

Focuses on clearing the name of the wronged party, rather than seeking revenge.

FAQs

What does "avenge the wrong" mean?

To "avenge the wrong" means to inflict punishment or harm in return for an injustice or offense that has been committed. It implies a desire for retribution and a restoration of balance after a perceived injury.

What can I say instead of "avenge the wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "right the wrong", "seek retribution for the injustice", or "correct the injustice" depending on the context.

Is it better to "avenge the wrong" or "right the wrong"?

The choice between "avenge the wrong" and "right the wrong" depends on the desired tone and context. "Avenge" implies a desire for retribution, while "right" suggests correcting an injustice and restoring balance without necessarily seeking revenge.

What is the nuance of "avenge the wrong" compared to "seek justice"?

"Avenge the wrong" carries a connotation of personal retribution or settling a score, while "seek justice" implies a more formal, legal, or impartial process aimed at achieving fairness and equity.