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
As almost everyone else in Widow’s Bay takes shelter from a storm that’s wreaking havoc and even sucking some residents into the sky, Tom goes to Ruth’s house and weighs a terrible moral dilemma.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026
These worries are especially high in South Texas, where the deadly parasite could wreak havoc on whitetail populations and the state’s multi-billion-dollar deer hunting industry.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Malware, hackers, trackers, and other malicious actors can compromise your system, steal your personal data, and wreak havoc on your finances.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 June 2026
Peeves, the troublemaking ghost who wreaks havoc on young wizards, will be roaming the halls of Hogwarts when the new adaptation kicks off on Christmas Day.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026
These worries are especially high in South Texas, where the deadly parasite could wreak havoc on whitetail populations and the state’s multi-billion-dollar deer hunting industry.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Malware, hackers, trackers, and other malicious actors can compromise your system, steal your personal data, and wreak havoc on your finances.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 June 2026
Peeves, the troublemaking ghost who wreaks havoc on young wizards, will be roaming the halls of Hogwarts when the new adaptation kicks off on Christmas Day.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreak
Verb
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The finding, drawn from a study linking survey data on borrower beliefs to credit bureau records, puts a precise number on the financial damage inflicted by years of government policy whiplash on student debt.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
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That would be a huge win for polluters, worth $60-$200 million, and they would not be held accountable for the damage already inflicted on us.—
Chris Hartmann,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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My eyes darted back and forth, trying to grasp the imposing silhouette in its entirety.—
Karina Zaiets,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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The filing, submitted in the San Diego County Superior Court, seeks a judge’s order to condemn and destroy the embargoed kratom products, halt ongoing unlawful manufacturing and impose civil penalties.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreak. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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