as in to inflict
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
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Recent Examples of wreak
The only thing Iranian leaders view as more perilous for their self-preservation than the suffering wreaked by Israeli bombs is surrendering to American terms.
—
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The damage wreaked by Trump policies on student loans is already showing up in economic statistics.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
In just a decade the Marriott Hotel went from a promise of Haiti’s future to a remnant of its past, as the country’s armed gangs continue to wreak economic damage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Present at the Destruction The full scope of the destruction the second Trump administration has wreaked on the machinery of U.S. foreign policy and national security is hard to capture.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The damage wreaked by Trump policies on student loans is already showing up in economic statistics.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
In just a decade the Marriott Hotel went from a promise of Haiti’s future to a remnant of its past, as the country’s armed gangs continue to wreak economic damage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Present at the Destruction The full scope of the destruction the second Trump administration has wreaked on the machinery of U.S. foreign policy and national security is hard to capture.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreak
Verb
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Indeed, Denmark are the side who inflicted the last genuine shock at the European Championship, in 2017.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
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Retiree pensions continue to inflict great pain on municipal finances, gobbling up more than 20% of general fund dollars in at least a half-dozen Orange County cities.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
18 July 2025
Verb
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For months, Trump had threatened, but held off on, imposing new sanctions against Russia's oil industry.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
14 July 2025
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Several communities — including Highland Park, Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn and Lombard — have recently imposed age limits on riders, while Burr Ridge has banned e-scooters from its streets.—
Paulina Czupryna,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreak. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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