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 words like vengeance and destruction. We humbly suggest you avoid wreaking any of that, however, 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
Three minutes of comedy chasing and evasive action ensued before play resumed, only for the four-legged fiend to return to wreak more havoc than the home attack had previously shown.
—
Craig Chisnall, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Expect Williams and Murphy to wreak similar havoc.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Back in Peshawar, a stone’s throw from the hospital wing, some of the weapons wreaking new havoc along Pakistan’s mineral belt were laid out for CNN to see.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Growing up, my grandmother had a whole gaggle of grandkids, including myself, who loved to hang out at her house and wreak a good amount of havoc together.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreak
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Craig Chisnall, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Expect Williams and Murphy to wreak similar havoc.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Back in Peshawar, a stone’s throw from the hospital wing, some of the weapons wreaking new havoc along Pakistan’s mineral belt were laid out for CNN to see.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Growing up, my grandmother had a whole gaggle of grandkids, including myself, who loved to hang out at her house and wreak a good amount of havoc together.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wreak. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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
