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
This alliance, Hotez says, is wreaking immeasurable damage to Americans’ trust in science and healthcare.
—
Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
While people’s claims history, inflation, higher labor and construction costs play into increases nationwide, Coloradans face the additional burden of living in a state where the risk is high of catastrophes wreaking billions of dollars in damage.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Across the industry, however, the coronavirus outbreak is wreaking economic havoc.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2020
Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
While people’s claims history, inflation, higher labor and construction costs play into increases nationwide, Coloradans face the additional burden of living in a state where the risk is high of catastrophes wreaking billions of dollars in damage.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Across the industry, however, the coronavirus outbreak is wreaking economic havoc.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaking
Verb
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After pulling back, Ukrainian units conduct a series of drone, mortar, and artillery strikes against their former position, inflicting heavy casualties on the Russian forces now occupying it.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Adding to that, the player inflicting the most damage was former Brentwood standout Shalen Sheppard.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a settlement with McCourt — and to avoid the risk of the judge imposing a deal less favorable to the league — MLB agreed the fair-market value of a Dodgers TV deal would be based on the very Fox deal that Selig had rejected.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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The fire and brimstone nature of both fixtures, played in potentially imposing and intimidating stadiums, carries the risk of heightening the level of a player’s tension, in turn hindering their concentration or ability to follow a plan.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That, and putting your people first, is what matters first and foremost; everything else follows after.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Washington — Federal Reserve officials convene this week at a pivotal moment in the US central bank’s 112-year history, with a series of historic events putting a spotlight on their ability to set interest rates without political interference.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaking. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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