havoc

1 of 2

noun

hav·​oc ˈha-vək How to pronounce havoc (audio)
-vik
1
: wide and general destruction : devastation
A tornado wreaked havoc on the town two years ago.
2
: great confusion and disorder
the blackout caused havoc in the city

havoc

2 of 2

verb

havocked; havocking

transitive verb

: to lay waste : destroy

Examples of havoc in a Sentence

Noun The disease can play havoc with the body's immune system. Several small children can create havoc in a house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Butler’s knack for causing havoc, both on and off the ball, was atop the list. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 For the Sons, most Republicans are sellouts, except for the ultra-right Freedom Caucus, a band of congressional disrupters that has wreaked legislative havoc and forced then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) from his post as speaker of the House last year. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The foundation has launched a number of financing slates meant to jumpstart the careers of young, Black and female directors, while also implementing a COVID relief fund that helped keep the industry afloat amid the widespread havoc wrought by the pandemic. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024 Greed, hubris, obfuscation, cruelty and self-righteousness have been in evidence as courts from New York to Georgia have considered former president Donald Trump’s business practices, aggressions toward women and capacity to incite havoc. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 The shorter seasons also create havoc for a uniquely human reason: FOMO. Talia Barrington, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2024 Since the pandemic caused havoc in the finances of soccer clubs in the lower divisions, at least two of the three teams promoted each season from the Championship had fallen from the Premier League the previous year. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Winter weather caused havoc through Kentucky last week, but precipitation still has sights set on the state this week, according to National Weather Service−Louisville. Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 Plugging in Murphy would set Cincinnati up to generate more havoc up front with a quick-twitch threat who can throw blockers off balance. 19. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'havoc.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English havok, from Anglo-French, modification of Old French havot plunder

Verb

derivative of havoc entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of havoc was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near havoc

Cite this Entry

“Havoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/havoc. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

havoc

noun
hav·​oc
ˈhav-ək
1
: wide and general destruction
havoc caused by a tornado
2
: great confusion and disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on havoc

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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