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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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

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
Bungling comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) creates global Armageddon-like havoc by breaking a device invented by Sheldon and Leonard, neither of whom appear in the series. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 Hundreds of homes and businesses in Queens were without power Sunday after a sudden storm caused havoc across the city a day earlier, flooding major highways and leaving motorists stranded. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 19 July 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
  • In Harrenhal, Aemond is plagued by nightmares of his (not) dead brother dragging him to hell.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • After being a key to the victory of the Trojan War, Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) goes to hell and back trying to get home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland) in Nolan's brutal yet introspective adaptation of Homer's epic poem.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • Before the court turns to the question of punishment, families used the first day of sentencing to make clear the devastation left behind.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Still, amid that devastation came a powerful reminder of why Prisco’s has survived for so many decades.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of devastation
Verb
  • In Tenet, warriors from the future punish the present because their world is ravaged by climate change caused by us, their ancestors.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • Set against a backdrop of turbulent transition as the Middle Ages move into modernity, the film follows the three men on their long and arduous journey, across a Europe ravaged by wars and uprisings, to Versailles.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 28 July 2026
Definition of ravage
Noun
  • Sacramento State is planning its biggest homecoming celebration yet as the university begins its first football season in the Mid-American Conference, but this year's festivities come with a major change after a concert last season ended in chaos.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Sometimes his approach is so left-of-center that whole lines feel arrhythmic, but there’s a sedative allure in the way his sweet melodies find stasis in the chaos.
    — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Definition of chaos
Noun
  • The term was coined in 1981 based on the cases of four elderly women in Wisconsin who, like the man, had severe destruction of their shoulder joints and massive tears to their rotator cuffs.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • Its mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, posted a video to X showing widespread destruction in part of the city.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Verb
  • In vivid strokes of saffron orange and seafoam green watercolors, Wilson rendered a vibrant portrait of herself plundering birthday cake by the handful as party guests languished around the frame.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • As long as the contents of a container have not been plundered outright, they can even be delivered to the recipient after an accident, albeit with some delay.
    — Alexander Klose, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of plunder
Noun
  • That’s because parts of the flooding area fall under the jurisdictions of Kansas City, Jackson County and the state transportation department — and each says the others are responsible for addressing the mess.
    — Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • For stubborn messes, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it directly to the area.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • More than 2 million acres had burned, the center said – that’s twice the previous 10-year average for the period, and the highest loss in 14 years.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of loss

Browse Nearby Words

having to do with
havoc
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Cite this Entry

“Havoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/havoc. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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