avenged

USAGE SUMMARY

'avenged' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an verb that means to take revenge or inflict punishment for an offense or wrong. Example: The vengeful spirit was determined to be avenged for the harm that had been done to him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Carr described that period for the ALP as playing out a "Jacobean revenge drama: in one act the knife is flashing, the blood is flowing, the next act that's got to be avenged, the next act he's smoldering with hatred, the final act the stage is littered with gasping corpses".

The Guardian - Books

The Port Said families are furious; their innocent sons, they say, have been wrongly condemned by a politicised court to avoid the chaos that would engulf Cairo if the victims of the pitch invasion mostly supporters of Cairo's Ahly club were not avenged.

The Economist

Footage showed the men shouting "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" as they left the building.French politicians on all sides were quick to condemn the attack.

The Economist

Though it caused no deaths, he was executed and then avenged with another bomb, this one in the Terminus café at the Gare St-Lazare which killed one customer and injured 19.

The Economist

Many said that the vote was a defeat for terrorism and that their sons and fathers murdered by Saddam Hussein had now been avenged.

The Economist

Denied much of their legislative clout, parliamentarians have been reduced to using the chamber to highlight but not, alas, to curb the conservatives' abuses of power.The Council of Guardians duly avenged itself on the biggest party of whistle-blowers, the Participation Front; just two of its 67 serving deputies were cleared to stand.

The Economist

The militiamen then launched a dozen more raids, before they went off to police the funeral with banners declaring that the life of their leader would be avenged in Baathist blood.When Baghdad fell in April, vengeance was sparing.

The Economist

The attack was carried out by gunmen armed with automatic weapons; they were heard yelling "we have avenged the Prophet Muhammad".

The Economist

In addition to the savings identified in last April's budget, £12 billion ($19.6 billion) will supposedly be cut over four years.The Tories cried plagiarism, with justification, but avenged the policy theft by stealing personnel.

The Economist

Two years later, on the eve of the second world war, Louis, by then heavyweight champion, avenged the loss by knocking out Schmeling in the first round.Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets, lacks the charm of its cross-town neighbour.

The Economist

TITUS ANDRONICUS avenged himself on the barbarian queen Tamora by murdering her sons and serving them up to her in a pie.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avenged", ensure that the context clearly establishes who or what was wronged and who is taking action to correct the wrong. This provides clarity and strengthens the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "avenged" when the situation involves simply correcting a mistake or error. "Avenged" implies a deliberate wrong that requires a forceful response, not just a simple rectification.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "avenged" is as the past participle or past tense of the verb 'avenge'. It describes an action where a wrong has been righted through retribution. Ludwig AI confirms that "avenged" is a usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

38%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avenged" serves as the past tense and past participle of 'avenge', indicating that a wrong has been righted through retribution. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. Commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To ensure effective communication, make sure to clearly state who or what was wronged and who or what is taking action to correct the injustice. While there are different alternatives, they may differ depending on the intended connotation and intensity of retaliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retaliated

Focuses on a direct reciprocal action in response to an offense.

sought revenge

Highlights the active pursuit of vengeance.

took vengeance

A more formal and literary way of expressing revenge.

exacted retribution

Implies a formal or legalistic imposition of punishment.

got even

Suggests a more informal and personal act of revenge.

paid back in kind

Emphasizes the similarity between the original offense and the response.

returned the blow

Specifically indicates an act of physical retaliation.

settled the score

Indicates the end of a conflict through retaliation.

punished the offender

Focuses on the act of punishing rather than seeking revenge.

made amends through retaliation

Highlights the rebalancing of justice through revenge.

FAQs

How is "avenged" typically used in a sentence?

The word "avenged" is typically used as the past tense of the verb avenge, meaning to inflict punishment or harm in return for (an injury or wrong). For example, "The murder was "avenged" by Orestes".

What are some synonyms for "avenged"?

Some synonyms for "avenged" include "retaliated", "revenged", and "vindicated", though each carries slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "I will be avenged"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It means that someone will take revenge on your behalf for something done to you. A more common construction is "I will avenge," meaning you will take revenge yourself.

What's the difference between "avenged" and "revenged"?

"Avenged" is generally used when restoring justice or righting a wrong, while "revenged" can sometimes carry a more personal or spiteful connotation. The terms are largely interchangeable, but "avenged" often suggests a more righteous justification.