as in inflicting
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
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Recent Examples of wreaking
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Now, the Iran war and the carrier's connectivity exposure to the Middle East market are wreaking havoc, forcing the airline to cancel nearly a third of its flights during the peak June to August travel period.
—Monica Pitrelli,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
It’s also been empty since 2020, leaving the 45-story behemoth as the city’s largest vacant office building at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc on the office market.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
More than 100 peacocks are wreaking havoc in the Italian seaside town of Punta Marina on the Adriatic coast, leading to local divisions over what to do about the swelling colony.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Wildfires continue to burn in Florida, wreaking havoc in parts of the state.
—Bianca Harris, USA Today, 12 May 2026
America is suffering from a mental health crisis that is wreaking havoc on our kids.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But as the decades pass, Mercy discovers an especially bitter spirit who is wreaking violent revenge upon the living—and when the spirit claims to know something of her past, Mercy must decide if her loyalties are to the living or the dead.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Now, the Iran war and the carrier's connectivity exposure to the Middle East market are wreaking havoc, forcing the airline to cancel nearly a third of its flights during the peak June to August travel period.
—Monica Pitrelli,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
It’s also been empty since 2020, leaving the 45-story behemoth as the city’s largest vacant office building at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc on the office market.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
More than 100 peacocks are wreaking havoc in the Italian seaside town of Punta Marina on the Adriatic coast, leading to local divisions over what to do about the swelling colony.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Wildfires continue to burn in Florida, wreaking havoc in parts of the state.
—Bianca Harris, USA Today, 12 May 2026
America is suffering from a mental health crisis that is wreaking havoc on our kids.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But as the decades pass, Mercy discovers an especially bitter spirit who is wreaking violent revenge upon the living—and when the spirit claims to know something of her past, Mercy must decide if her loyalties are to the living or the dead.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaking
Verb
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For massages, ask for Sylvia, whose extraordinary hands somehow work deep into the muscles, relaxing them without inflicting torture en route.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
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El Niños arrive every few years, inflicting drought, flooding and other climate destruction across the globe.—
Joel Mathis,
TheWeek,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Most are talking about imposing significantly higher business taxes to pay for new or expanded programs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Yet that cannot be wielded, either logically or honestly, as an excuse for imposing war on the noble Cuban people.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Using the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, each Smugglers Run locale is heavily detailed, putting us in more of a dogfight as the Mandalorian chases down pirates and ex-Imperial officers.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
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Still, from December and March, Leonard was one of the best players in the NBA, playing enough games to qualify for end-of-season awards while largely putting his knee issues behind him.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaking. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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