1
as in hell
a state in which everything is out of order
computer network problems created havoc throughout the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to ravage
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of havoc
NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
The historic winter storm dumping up to 2 feet of snow in the Northeast is causing air travel havoc across the country.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
Plankton: The Movie arrives exclusively on Netflix in 2025.
06 of 06
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)
Next year SpongeBob returns to theaters with his fourth film, The Search for SquarePants, as Plankton wrecks havoc on Netflix.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for havoc
Noun
Again, the goal of this operation is to make sure there will never be, in Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism to reign havoc on us and the region.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
The historic winter storm dumping up to 2 feet of snow in the Northeast is causing air travel havoc across the country.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Plankton: The Movie arrives exclusively on Netflix in 2025.
06 of 06
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)
Next year SpongeBob returns to theaters with his fourth film, The Search for SquarePants, as Plankton wrecks havoc on Netflix.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for havoc
Recent Examples of Synonyms for havoc
Noun
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In fiction that means a darkly comic novel about a gay married couple on the vacation from hell on to a debut portrait of first-gen Asian American angst.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Automata follows combat android 2B, scanner android 9S, and the prototype A2, with core hack-and-slash gameplay that's supplemented by elements from other genres, including RPGS and bullet-hell shmups.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 1983, O’Brien testified before Congress about the devastation of the disease, which her father had been one of the first celebrities to be diagnosed with.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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In addition to unleashing intense winds, Melissa produced catastrophic flooding, destructive storm surge and widespread economic devastation.—
Jacqueline Charles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When the Assad regime in nearby Syria collapsed in late 2024, its security forces had been hollowed out – and its economy ravaged – by years of civil conflict.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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Since the Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice fires in 2007 ravaged large swaths of San Diego County, SDG&E has spent roughly $6 billion in ratepayer funds to reduce the risk of widespread fires.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Packed with mistaken identities, overheard conversations, and joyful chaos, this beloved classic is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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But some Iranian Americans fear that their native country could descend into chaos, as Iraq did after the 2003 American invasion.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Washington has no answer to any of these questions – only a theory of destruction.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Orange County also has financial plundering stories.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
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If there really was a class of unaccountable, libertine global élites plundering the world, then wasn’t Trump obviously a member?—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For a no-fuss, no-mess option for your patio, the Thermacell Patio Shield provides a 10-foot protection zone, perfect for small outdoor spaces like balconies or porches.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Instead of rolling individual enchiladas or topping individual tacos, serve a big-batch fajita casserole for Tex-Mex flavor without as much effort or mess.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg was assessed the first technical foul of his NBA career during Dallas’ loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Detroit is in the middle of a rough patch with four straight losses, but still holds the East’s top record at 45-18.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Havoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/havoc. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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