Unavenged

Unavenged is an adjective used to describe a wrong, injury, or crime for which no retribution or compensation has been made. It signifies a state of incompleteness or injustice, where a harm has been suffered but the perpetrator has not been brought to account or the victim has not received satisfaction. This concept is deeply rooted in legal, ethical, and social frameworks across cultures and throughout history.

In a legal context, an unavenged crime implies that a perpetrator has escaped justice, either through lack of evidence, legal loopholes, or the failure of the justice system to apprehend or convict them. This can lead to a sense of ongoing injustice for victims and their families. Socially, the idea of something remaining unavenged can fuel desires for vigilante action or perpetuate cycles of conflict and revenge if formal justice mechanisms are perceived as inadequate.

Philosophically, the notion of unavenged wrongs touches upon concepts of fairness, moral order, and the inherent human need for justice. The persistence of unavenged grievances can create societal instability and a breakdown of trust. The opposite of unavenged would be something that has been avenged, where justice, in some form, has been served. The emotional weight associated with unavenged acts often stems from the unresolved pain and the feeling that a fundamental balance has been disturbed.