Synonyms of havoc

havoc 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-vək 

1

as in hell

a state in which everything is out of order

computer network problems created havoc throughout the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hell
• chaos
• mess
• confusion
• jumble
• disorder
• disarray
• heck
• disorganization
• disarrangement
• messiness
• tangle
• shambles
• riot
• disorderliness
• free-for-all
• muss
• muddle
• snake pit
• tumble
• dishevelment
• clutter
• welter
• anarchy
• misrule
• maze
• misorder
• chance-medley
• disorderedness
• labyrinth
• snarl
• mare's nest
• lawlessness
• storm
• web
• maelstrom
• knot
• shuffle
• litter
• mishmash
• hodgepodge
• morass
• motley
• medley
• miscellany
• bollix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• order
• system
• orderliness
• plan
• method
• pattern

2

as in devastation

the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless

the powerful hurricane wreaked havoc all along the coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devastation
• destruction
• loss
• extinction
• demolition
• extermination
• ruin
• annihilation
• obliteration
• wastage
• wreckage
• decimation
• ruination
• desolation
• collapse
• demolishment
• mincemeat
• disintegration
• depredation
• slaughter
• massacre
• breakup
• despoliation
• killing
• despoilment
• execution
• dissolution
• assassination
• eradication
• dismantlement
• effacement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• building
• construction
• raising
• saving
• erection
• rescue
• salvation
• protection
• salvage
• conservation
• preservation
• restoration
• reconstruction
• reclamation
• remodeling
• renovation
• re-creation
• regeneracy
• refurbishment

havoc

2 of 2

verb

as in to ravage

Related Words

• ravage
• plunder
• loot
• sack
• despoil
• wipe out
• slaughter
• massacre
• eradicate
• obliterate
• pillage
• cut down
• trample
• trash
• blot out
• extirpate
• remove
• kill
• kill off
• exterminate
• damage
• murder
• snuff (out)
• harm
• take out
• vandalize
• butcher
• zap
• root (out)
• expunge
• liquidate
• stamp (out)
• slay
• dispatch
• efface
• gut
• fell
• take down
• execute
• assassinate
• mow (down)
• undo
• dismantle
• sweep (away)
• unmake
• ruin
• wreck
• deteriorate
• wear (away)
• erode
• cripple
• wash out
• dilapidate
• defeat
• impair
• blast
• best
• disintegrate
• spoil
• vitiate
• disassemble
• destroy
• injure
• unbuild
• disfigure
• mar
• overcome
• rout
• blow up
• dynamite
• scour
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• desolate
• mutilate
• dissolve
• waste
• subdue
• total
• tear down
• devastate
• conquer
• deface
• master
• annihilate
• mangle
• crush
• scotch
• surmount
• wrack
• lick
• thrash
• pull down
• cream
• smash
• decimate
• shatter
• whip
• vaporize
• pulverize
• break
• trim
• rub out
• overmatch
• overbear
• extinguish
• demolish
• wallop
• clobber
• raze
• skunk
• nuke
• beat
• drub
• do in
• trounce

Dissimilar Words

• build
• set up
• raise
• create
• repair
• construct
• put up
• fix
• rear
• patch
• erect
• produce
• form
• make
• shape
• mend
• protect
• save
• manufacture
• found
• bring about
• fashion
• mold
• invent
• organize
• institute
• establish
• assemble
• revamp
• frame
• forge
• preserve
• rebuild
• doctor
• restore
• conserve
• constitute
• recondition
• fabricate
• father
• reconstruct
• remodel
• renovate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of havoc

Noun

The rain was incessant and the wind was playing havoc on the almost invisible race course. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

If tensions heighten with an adversary, for example, the United States could model potential attacks on its own grid to figure out which vulnerabilities, if exploited, would wreak the most havoc. — Anne Neuberger, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls. — Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Even after hours of fast traveling, horseback riding, and slowly jogging from point A to point B, there were more quests to find, gear to loot, and havoc to wreak. — PC Magazine, 22 May 2025