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wreak Definition

wreak (rēk)

transitive verb

  1. to give vent or free play to (one's anger, malice, rage, etc.)
  2. to inflict (vengeance), cause (harm or havoc), etc.
  3. Archaic to avenge

Etymology: ME wreken < OE wrecan, to revenge, punish, akin to Ger rächen, Goth wrikan < IE base *wreg-, to shove, oppress, hunt down, L urgere, to press, urge

wreak Related Forms
wreaker noun
wreak Usage Examples

Object

  • havoc: You can wreak havoc from above easily enough, with your large array of weaponry.
  • vengeance: In the end it is time itself which will wreak vengeance.
  • revenge: The failure of the pagan gods to wreak a terrible revenge undermined the whole pagan belief system.
  • devastation: This would wreak devastation in such a fragile environment.
  • destruction: In 1979, a tornado ripped through Windsor Locks, wreaking destruction along the eastern portions of the airport.
  • damage: For the first time in the history of humankind, a small group of people with weapons of mass destruction can wreak untold damage.

Preposition: on

  • people: And the Vatican has apologized for the havoc that the Crusades wreaked on the people of the Middle East.

Preposition: as

  • havoc: They know, as do we, that a few lines of code could ultimately wreak as much havoc as a handful of bombs.

Preposition: by

  • change: The United Nations has estimated that the havoc wreaked by climate change could create up to 50 million refugees.

Modifying Another Word

  • again: But after a short rain break the spinning fingers of Robin Fisher again wreaked havoc.
  • still: Lady Luck, and slippery Hellman's jars, can still wreak havoc.
  • also: They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong buttons.
  • generally: He could have scored in a minute, and generally wreaked havoc for the rest of the game.
  • then: A gang of up to 7 men then wreaked havoc in the bar, throwing chairs and slashing the victim's face with glass.
  • not: Wreak not your fury, Lord, but have mercy upon your servant.

Browse dictionary entries near wreak

  1. WRC
  2. wrathful
  3. wrath
  4. wrastle
  5. wrasse
  6. wrapt
  7. wrapping
  8. wrapper
  9. wrapped up in
  10. wrapped
  1. wreath
  2. wreathe
  3. wreck
  4. wreckage
  5. wrecked
  6. wrecker
  7. wrecking
  8. wrecking bar
  9. wren
  10. wrench