wreak

[ reek ]

verb (used with object)

1. to inflict or execute (punishment, vengeance, etc.):

   They wreaked havoc on the enemy.

   Synonyms: unleash, vent, visit, inflict, impose

2. 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.

wreak

/ riːk /

verb

1. to inflict (vengeance, etc) or to cause (chaos, etc)

   to wreak havoc on the enemy

2. to express, or gratify (anger, hatred, etc)
3. archaic.
   to take vengeance for

Usage

See wrought

Derived Forms

• ˈwreaker, noun

Other Words From

• wreak·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreak¹

First recorded 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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreak¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wreak havoc. wreak havoc.

Example Sentences

The mother also made a plea to the violent ones who wreak such havoc.

From The Daily Beast

The Fox miniseries 24: Live Another Day saw a massive drone wreak havoc on London.

From The Daily Beast

They eat more than 500 kinds of plants and could wreak havoc if released into the North American environment.

From The Daily Beast

Watch the green-clad moustachioed menace wreak havoc in Mario Kart 8, blowing up Waluigi and then giving a “death stare.”

From The Daily Beast

But this is nothing compared to the devastating havoc a default will probably wreak.

From The Daily Beast

I am allowed to live only so long as I am a willing tool, and foolish enough to wreak their evil will upon my people.

From Project Gutenberg

Chaos is theirs, in which to wreak their mysterious vengeance: the den of the winds is more monstrous than that of lions.

From Project Gutenberg

It was one of the last acts of Gage to plan with the Admiral how to wreak vengeance on the inhabitants of both those ports.

From Project Gutenberg

Then she fell again to thinking of her wrongs and planning how she should wreak vengeance upon Margaret Edes.

From Project Gutenberg

I was lifted up and cried aloud in the joy of having someone on whom to wreak my vengeance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bring about
• inflict
• unleash
• wreck