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

This past August’s damage-causing storm brought havoc on the ranch, and clean-up efforts have been ongoing since. — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

In Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Heteherman’s system, everything starts with creating havoc up front. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 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