havoc 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-vək How to pronounce havoc (audio)
Definition of havocnext
1
as in hell
a state in which everything is out of order computer network problems created havoc throughout the office

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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

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havoc

2 of 2

verb

as in to ravage

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of havoc
Noun
His worldview has brought nothing but havoc to Americans, whereas Parton provided a guidebook for a national redemption. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 After a stop in the NFL, former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for havoc
Recent Examples of Synonyms for havoc
  1. hell
  2. devastation
  3. ravage
  4. chaos
  5. destruction
  6. plunder
  7. mess
  8. loss
Noun
  • Cruz is going to take them all downnnn Babat is terrifying as all hell!
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The government’s mistake spilling into her life would have been hell enough for her.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • Once there, staring at the devastation, there was no denying the reality of death.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That moment came after floodwaters caused the Guadalupe River to rise to historic levels in the early morning hours of Independence Day, bringing death and devastation to Kerr County and the surrounding area.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastation
Verb
  • The barren English countryside has been ravaged by a plague that killed half the population.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The actress recalled the eerie deaths and accidents that happened during the shoot of the film, including a fire that ravaged a great part of the set and one of the crew members who lost their newborn child.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ravage
Noun
  • Out of uniform and out of his comfort zone, about a week before the chaos ensues, Jack Campbell could, and probably should, be doing just anything else with his time.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • What is harder to summon from this distance is the pulsating chaos of that day, hour by hour.
    — Ann Gerhart, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of chaos
Noun
  • While images of destruction flooded social media, 68-year-old Chris White, a lifelong resident of Kauai and the owner of a rental home in Poipu, noted that much of the island was spared significant damage.
    — GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Palestinians possess no natural gift for grief and there is nothing beautiful about enduring destruction and death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of destruction
Verb
  • In the sixties, artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Peter Saul had plundered lowbrow visual culture for elemental materials.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, plundering England’s lower leagues is a rich source of unique goals, from Ballard’s spectacular effort to this cheeky one from Crewe Alexandra striker Josh March in their 1-0 League Two win over Northampton on Saturday.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of plunder
Noun
  • Plus, don’t miss out on handy finds like this handheld vacuum that makes quick work of small messes in tight spaces and an insulated Yeti tumbler that keeps water cold all day long.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
  • One of Amy’s charges is a mess of a young mother who has had all three of her children taken away from her by the state.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Across a run of six defeats in seven matches, which left his tenure hanging by a thread, the Forest and Brighton losses were the worst.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rice lipids and jojoba oil seal in moisture and replenish the skin barrier, while 2% ectoin soothes redness and protects against water loss.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of loss

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Cite this Entry

“Havoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/havoc. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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