wreak

wreak

transitive verb \ˈrēk also ˈrek\

Definition of WREAK

1

a archaic : avenge

b : to cause the infliction of (vengeance or punishment)

2

: to give free play or course to (malevolent feeling)

3

: bring about, cause <wreak havoc>

Examples of WREAK

1. Gangs have been wreaking mayhem in the city.

Origin of WREAK

Middle English wreken, from Old English wrecan to drive, punish, avenge; akin to Old High German rehhan to avenge and perhaps to Latin urgēre to drive on, urge

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with WREAK

beak, bleak, cheek, chic, cleek, clique, creak, creek, Creek, eke, flic, freak, geek, gleek, Greek, keek, leak, leek, meek, peak, peek, peke, pic, pique, reek, screak, seek, sheikh, shriek, sic, Sikh, sleek, sneak, speak, squeak, steek, streak, streek, teak, tweak, weak, week