as in inflicting
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
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Recent Examples of wreaking
Texas Tech started slow in Manhattan, but the dam eventually broke due to Tech’s havoc-wreaking defense.
—
Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Almost serpentine in her shimmering elegance, Thompson’s Hedda glides from room to room wreaking social havoc with her guests, an old lover, and even her husband that will, ultimately, have tragic consequences for all.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
That means any spills will stay in the water for longer, wreaking more damage.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Almost serpentine in her shimmering elegance, Thompson’s Hedda glides from room to room wreaking social havoc with her guests, an old lover, and even her husband that will, ultimately, have tragic consequences for all.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
That means any spills will stay in the water for longer, wreaking more damage.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaking
Verb
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They were also found liable for several other claims, including false imprisonment, battery and inflicting emotional distress on Maya, according to CourtTV, which live-streamed the decision.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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He was acquitted of a misdemeanor count of inflicting injury on an elder adult.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For those who prefer not to walk for hours under the imposing Brazilian sun, renting a car may prove to be the most comfortable method of touring the city.—
Greyson Ferguson,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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But the tariffs spooked American businesses, prompting a court challenge, contending that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaking. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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