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
America is suffering from a mental health crisis that is wreaking havoc on our kids.
—
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But as the decades pass, Mercy discovers an especially bitter spirit who is wreaking violent revenge upon the living—and when the spirit claims to know something of her past, Mercy must decide if her loyalties are to the living or the dead.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Alcoholic Drinks Having a drink or two at night is a common nightly habit that could be wreaking havoc on your sleep.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 29 Apr. 2026
The songs are these one-man shows of self-reckoning (Lamar’s writing loves a mirror) and wreaking havoc.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Just days earlier, mobs of young street racers swarmed a Georgia intersection in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc and disturbing neighbors.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The film focused on Josh Brolin’s Thanos wreaking havoc across the universe, and the fight to stop him.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents portions of Washington’s Pacific coast, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday warning that sea lions are wreaking havoc on her district’s fishing industry.
—Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But as the decades pass, Mercy discovers an especially bitter spirit who is wreaking violent revenge upon the living—and when the spirit claims to know something of her past, Mercy must decide if her loyalties are to the living or the dead.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Alcoholic Drinks Having a drink or two at night is a common nightly habit that could be wreaking havoc on your sleep.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 29 Apr. 2026
The songs are these one-man shows of self-reckoning (Lamar’s writing loves a mirror) and wreaking havoc.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Just days earlier, mobs of young street racers swarmed a Georgia intersection in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc and disturbing neighbors.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The film focused on Josh Brolin’s Thanos wreaking havoc across the universe, and the fight to stop him.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents portions of Washington’s Pacific coast, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday warning that sea lions are wreaking havoc on her district’s fishing industry.
—Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaking
Verb
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Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images The monthslong war in Iran is inflicting economic pain across the country as many Americans report struggling with higher costs, particularly the record rise in gas prices.—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
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He was also sued for battery, emotional distress, and fraud in April and accused of inflicting physical, emotional, and psychological damage by 18-year-old influencer Alorah Ziva, which Peters denies.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Kim, who took power in 1946, reframed Christianity as a symptom of American imperialism and repurposed its rituals with himself at the center, instituting requirements for ideological activities and imposing harsh punishments on those who failed to show sufficient devotion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The Wekiva River Parkway and Protection Act of 2004 authorized construction of a beltway around Central Florida, also known as State Road 429, while imposing strict protections for the environmentally fragile Wekiva River basin.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Former First Lady Laura Bush is credited with putting these delicious cookies—packed with oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips—on the map.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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But putting people in an immersive environment to experience the tsunami without the deadly consequences of being there in person turned out to be the best way to help people grasp the scale.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaking. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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