wreaked; wreaking; wreaks
1
: bring about, cause
wreak havoc
2
a
: to cause the infliction of (vengeance or punishment)
b
archaic
: avenge
3
: to give free play or course to (malevolent feeling)
Did you know?
In its early days, wreak was synonymous with avenge, a meaning exemplified when Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus proclaims "We will solicit heaven, and move the gods / To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs." This sense is now archaic, but the association hasn't been lost: although wreak is today most often paired with havoc, it is also still sometimes paired with vengeance. We humbly suggest you avoid wreaking either, no matter how badly you may crave your just deserts.
Examples of wreak in a Sentence
Gangs have been wreaking mayhem in the city.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1966, just four distilleries remained in Ireland after the havoc wreaked by two world wars and Prohibition, and three of those consolidated at Midleton: John Jameson & Son, John Powers & Son, and Cork Distilleries Company (Bushmills in Northern Ireland was the fourth).
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
The havoc that Trump has wreaked on America, and the rest of the world, in his eight weeks back in office requires some restraint in the deployment of this analogy.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
Bird flu continues to wreak financial havoc for farmers, which is then trickling down to consumers in the form of higher prices, particularly on eggs.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Now cancer-free, Kilmer is still recovering from the havoc the treatments wreaked on his body.
—Kara Warner, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
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Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
The havoc that Trump has wreaked on America, and the rest of the world, in his eight weeks back in office requires some restraint in the deployment of this analogy.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
Bird flu continues to wreak financial havoc for farmers, which is then trickling down to consumers in the form of higher prices, particularly on eggs.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Now cancer-free, Kilmer is still recovering from the havoc the treatments wreaked on his body.
—Kara Warner, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wreak. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wreak
verb
: to bring down in or as if in punishment
wreak revenge on the enemy
the storm wreaked destruction
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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