as in to inflict
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
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Recent Examples of wreak
In the 1860s, after the Old World had deepened its grip on the New, an emissary traveled back from America to Europe to wreak some havoc of its own.
—
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2024
Up to a foot of snow is possible across the higher elevations of the Cascades and northern Rockies, wreaking travel havoc for motorists who are venturing out.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
Those sanctions wreaked such havoc on your country's economy that millions of Venezuelans migrated out.
—Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024
But even with winds at 70 mph, the tornado wreaked plenty of havoc.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wreak 
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2024
Up to a foot of snow is possible across the higher elevations of the Cascades and northern Rockies, wreaking travel havoc for motorists who are venturing out.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
Those sanctions wreaked such havoc on your country's economy that millions of Venezuelans migrated out.
—Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024
But even with winds at 70 mph, the tornado wreaked plenty of havoc.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wreak
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Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreak. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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