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wreak

verb

Definition of wreaknext
as in to inflict
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies

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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 wreak The havoc a hacker wreaks using their attack could be catastrophic. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026 Beyond Ormund, the episode is meant to give a sense of the wanton destruction wreaked upon innocent civilians in the midst of war. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 And now Europe’s key rivers are drying up, threatening to wreak new havoc across the continent in this summer of climate extremes. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026 These aren’t just wins for Kyiv’s coffers, or for its ability to wreak fresh havoc on Russian targets. — Thomas Nagorski, Time, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreak
  1. inflict
  2. impose
Verb
  • The Mizzou pass rush will need to enclose him in the pocket, even though that’s where Taylor prefers to inflict damage.
    — PJ Green September 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Lopez had been sentenced in Los Angeles County to 29 years in prison for assault with a semiautomatic firearm with enhancements for street gang activity, inflicting great bodily injury and use of a firearm, officials said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of inflict
Verb
  • The administration has also fired federal workers, imposed a historic increase in tariffs, and started the war in Iran without going through Congress, putting the burden on the judicial branch to determine the limits of presidential power.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Kyiv argued the warehouses held dual-use goods, and that hitting them would impose an immediate cost on ordinary Russians, who would pressure the Kremlin to end the war.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of impose

Browse Nearby Words

wraths
wreak
wreaked
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Cite this Entry

“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreak. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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