revenge/avenge/retaliate

[blouen]

What's the difference?

[Hi_there_Carl]

Revenge applies to actions you take against people who wrong you in an effort to get even.
Example: He cheated on her so to get revenge she smashed his car.

Avenge applies to actions you take against people who wrong others.
Example: To avenge his sister's attacker, he shot the man.

Retaliate applies to actions taken in response to someone who wrongs you.
Example: He hit me so I retaliated and hit him back.

[blouen]

Originally Posted by Hi_there_Carl

Revenge applies to actions you take against people who wrong you in an effort to get even.
Example: He cheated on her so to get revenge she smashed his car.

Avenge applies to actions you take against people who wrong others.
Example: To avenge his sister's attacker, he shot the man.

Retaliate applies to actions taken in response to someone who wrongs you.
Example: He hit me so I retaliated and hit him back.

To retaliate is to do the same thing as the harm done to you, right?

Revenge gives stress on the thought of getting even, right?

[baqarah131]

Originally Posted by blouen

To retaliate is to do the same thing as the harm done to you, right?

Revenge gives stress on the thought of getting even, right?

Carl's answer is right on with good examples.
But note:

"revenge" is a noun.
"retaliate" and "avenge" are verbs.

No, retaliate doesn't always mean to hit the person who hit you, spit at the person who spat at you, to respond by returning the same action.

You can retaliate by doing anything nasty: Shout at your enemy, soap his windows, post damaging information about on on Facebook--there's no limit to the possibilities.

regards
edward

[blouen]

Okay.

To retaliate is to get even.
To avenge is to get even in the behalf of another.
Revenge is a the noun of these two.