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
The Deland defense was led by Banks, who had three sacks in the game and made numerous tackles, wreaking havoc all night.
—
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Without mushrooms or fungal infections either vying for space or wreaking havoc on your plants, ground cover can flourish unabated.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 23 May 2026
With extreme-weather events wreaking havoc and headlines, climate issues and related subjects are popping up in movies and TV shows as a fact of modern life for characters.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 May 2026
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Now, the Iran war and the carrier's connectivity exposure to the Middle East market are wreaking havoc, forcing the airline to cancel nearly a third of its flights during the peak June to August travel period.
—Monica Pitrelli,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
It’s also been empty since 2020, leaving the 45-story behemoth as the city’s largest vacant office building at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc on the office market.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
More than 100 peacocks are wreaking havoc in the Italian seaside town of Punta Marina on the Adriatic coast, leading to local divisions over what to do about the swelling colony.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Without mushrooms or fungal infections either vying for space or wreaking havoc on your plants, ground cover can flourish unabated.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 23 May 2026
With extreme-weather events wreaking havoc and headlines, climate issues and related subjects are popping up in movies and TV shows as a fact of modern life for characters.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 May 2026
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Now, the Iran war and the carrier's connectivity exposure to the Middle East market are wreaking havoc, forcing the airline to cancel nearly a third of its flights during the peak June to August travel period.
—Monica Pitrelli,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
It’s also been empty since 2020, leaving the 45-story behemoth as the city’s largest vacant office building at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc on the office market.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
More than 100 peacocks are wreaking havoc in the Italian seaside town of Punta Marina on the Adriatic coast, leading to local divisions over what to do about the swelling colony.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaking
Verb
-
At the same time, Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities and arms factories, inflicting increasing damage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Aaron Deunte Ratliff, 37, was arrested May 23 and charge with 10 felonies, including five counts of first degree kidnapping and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries, the Anson County Sheriff’s Office said in a May 25 news release.—
Mark Price
May 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The neighborhood/area The boho-chic Oltrarno neighborhood is an eclectic mix of imposing palazzi, elegant antique shops, quirky boutiques and a plethora of cafés, bars, and restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Government interference in the market — using taxpayer money to build affordable housing, subsidizing mortgages, imposing zoning restrictions — creates another set of disincentives.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Ironically, the best path forward for programs like that would be a wealthy donor putting money into the program.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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The Spurs will leave him open to shoot, putting an emphasis on him to knock his shots down.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaking. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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