as in inflicts
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wreaks
The party already faced historical challenges as the majority party going into the midterm elections, on top of economic headwinds that have become even stronger as the Iran war wreaks havoc on the global economy.
—
Julia Manchester, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2026
Items below the benchmark are sorted into a different area mainly for incineration or landfill, which is where textile pollution wreaks its most damage.
—Tian MacLeod Ji, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
This time, though, there's only one enemy to deal with – but by Cybertron, this murder machine wreaks bloody havoc on Alan Ritchson's 81 (he's only known by this callsign in the movie) and his team of Army Rangers in training!
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Max wreaks some more havoc after the excursion by gunning it on the tender while towing guests on the tube.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
But when a terrible fire wreaks damage, a miracle occurs.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Yet no one community better reflects the cascade of consequences that gun violence wreaks on kids’ classrooms, homes and relationships.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Julia Manchester, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2026
Items below the benchmark are sorted into a different area mainly for incineration or landfill, which is where textile pollution wreaks its most damage.
—Tian MacLeod Ji, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
This time, though, there's only one enemy to deal with – but by Cybertron, this murder machine wreaks bloody havoc on Alan Ritchson's 81 (he's only known by this callsign in the movie) and his team of Army Rangers in training!
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Max wreaks some more havoc after the excursion by gunning it on the tender while towing guests on the tube.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
But when a terrible fire wreaks damage, a miracle occurs.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Yet no one community better reflects the cascade of consequences that gun violence wreaks on kids’ classrooms, homes and relationships.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreaks
Verb
-
Instead of providing convenience, services and consumption, the regime only inflicts repression, intrusion and censorship.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
Boiling water acts as a contact herbicide that inflicts thermal shock on the weeds' plant cells.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
While this puts a literal damper on vacation plans, locals celebrate this time of year, as it is needed for keeping the lush foliage and crops at their best.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
And there’s a gallery on site gallery called Secret Gallery, which puts emphasis on indigenous artists and local artists.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that still imposes an inheritance tax–a tax on transfers from a person who has died to the people who inherit, with rates based on the category of recipient.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
New legislation imposes compliance costs, whereas simple interpretive guidance provides clarity.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreaks. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
