Cool MateAvenger vs Champion vs Vigilante
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Avenger
Champion
Vigilante
| Avenger | Champion | Vigilante | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈvɛndʒə//🇺🇸 //əˈvɛndʒər// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtʃæmpiən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtʃæmpiən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˌvɪdʒ.ɪˈlæn.teɪ//🇺🇸 //ˌvɪdʒ.ɪˈlæn.teɪ// |
| Meaning | A person who gets revenge for a wrong done to someone. | A person who wins something or supports a cause. | A person who takes law enforcement into their own hands. |
| Example | The avenger sought justice for the wrongs done to his family. | She is the champion of the national tennis tournament. | The city was becoming a haven for vigilantes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | ||
| Collocations | seek revenge, become an avenger, act as an avenger | great, supreme, true, become, be crowned, be named, defend her/his title, fighter, jockey, sprinter | vigilante justice, vigilante group, vigilante activity |
| Antonyms | victim, perpetrator | loser, defeated | law-abiding citizen, police officer |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'adventurer' - both are related to action but have different meanings., Using 'avenger' as a verb; it is only a noun., Overusing in non-comic contexts, as it is often associated with superheroes. | Confused with 'championship' which refers to the competition itself., Using as a verb instead of a noun; 'to champion' is correct but not always recognized. | Confused with 'vigilance', which means watchfulness., Using 'vigilante' to describe legal authorities or police., Assuming all vigilantes are heroes; they may have mixed motivations. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in literary and superhero contexts; may not be appropriate in casual conversation outside those themes. | Use 'champion' when discussing a winner in sports or competitions. It can also refer to someone who fights for a cause, but avoid it in very casual conversations. | Usually used in storytelling or news; can carry negative connotations, implying lawlessness. Not suitable in formal legal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Avenger vs Champion vs Vigilante
What's the difference between Avenger, Champion, and Vigilante?
Avenger: A person who gets revenge for a wrong done to someone. Champion: A person who wins something or supports a cause. Vigilante: A person who takes law enforcement into their own hands.
Which is more common: Avenger, Champion, and Vigilante?
Champion is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Avenger: The avenger sought justice for the wrongs done to his family. Champion: She is the champion of the national tennis tournament. Vigilante: The city was becoming a haven for vigilantes.
Can I use Avenger, Champion, and Vigilante interchangeably?
Not always. Avenger, Champion, and Vigilante are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.