wreak

[ reek ]

/ rik /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wreak ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to inflict or execute (punishment, vengeance, etc.): They wreaked havoc on the enemy.

to carry out the promptings of (one's rage, ill humor, will, desire, etc.), as on a victim or object: He wreaked his anger on the office staff.

Nearby words

wrasse, wrastle, wrath, wrathful, wrathy, wreak, wreak havoc, wreath, wreathe, wreathed column, wreathy

Origin of wreak

before 900; Middle English wreken, Old English wrecan; cognate with German rächen to avenge, Old Norse reka to drive, avenge, Gothic wrikan to persecute; akin to Latin urgēre to drive, push

SYNONYMS FOR wreak

1 visit, vent, unleash.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wreak ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

wreak·er, noun

Can be confused

rack wrack wreak wreckracked wracked wreaked wrecked

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for wreak

The mother also made a plea to the violent ones who wreak such havoc.
11 Children Shot in Milwaukee, One in Her Grandpa's Lap|Michael Daly|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They eat more than 500 kinds of plants and could wreak havoc if released into the North American environment.
The $10 Billion Pet Cheetah and Chimp Industry|Sharon Adarlo|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Daniel Gross on how the shutdown could wreak havoc on a key part of the U.S. economy.
Tourism Is a Big Deal, and the Shutdown Will Ruin It|Daniel Gross|October 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Why didn't God empower the Israelites to wreak vengeance on their enemies who were evil people?
Passover, Non-Violence And Gun Control|Aryeh Cohen|March 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

This summer's punishing heat wave could wreak havoc on grocery bills.
Will Food Prices Jump After the Heat Wave?|Matthew Zeitlin|August 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The sole object of this vindictive creatures life appears now to have been to wreak vengeance upon me.
Excursions in the mountains of Ronda and Granada, with characteristic sketches of the inhabitants of southern Spain, v. 2/2|Charles Rochfort Scott
Now John is ready to join them, if only to wreak vengeance on Oberthal.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
Ahithophel especially134 nursed his vengeance in secret, and only awaited an opportunity to wreak it on the king.
History of the Jews, Vol. I (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
And if you wish to marry me, it will be with no promise of mine save to wreak it upon you!
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Even now the outraged populace approaches, to wreak a hawful vengeance upon your guilty 'ed!
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, March 1, 1890|Various

British Dictionary definitions for wreak

wreak

/ (riːk) /

verb (tr)

to inflict (vengeance, etc) or to cause (chaos, etc)to wreak havoc on the enemy

to express, or gratify (anger, hatred, etc)

archaic to take vengeance for

Derived Forms

wreaker, noun

Word Origin for wreak

Old English wrecan; related to Old Frisian wreka, Old High German rehhan (German rächen), Old Norse reka, Latin urgēre to push

xref

See wrought

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012