verb
wreak
reek
Wreak (verb) means to cause or inflict something damaging or violent, such as havoc, damage, or revenge. Example: “The storm wreaked havoc on the coastal town.”
verb
1
To cause or inflict something damaging or violent, such as havoc, damage, or revenge.
"The storm wreaked havoc on the coastal town."
"He wanted to wreak revenge on the people who had wronged him."
How to use wreak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cause a lot of damage or trouble, usually paired with "havoc" or "revenge".
Common mistake
Almost always used in the fixed phrase "wreak havoc" — people often misspell it as "wreck havoc", which is wrong; "wreak" is the correct word here.
Common pairings
wreak havoc
wreak revenge
wreak vengeance
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Word forms
- Plural
- wreaks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The storm _____ havoc on the coastal town.
Etymology
From Old English wrecan, "to drive out, punish, avenge" — related to "wreck".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wreak
See all rhymes for wreak →Frequently asked questions
What does “wreak” mean?
The word “wreak” means to cause or inflict something damaging or violent, such as havoc, damage, or revenge. In plain terms, to cause a lot of damage or trouble, usually paired with "havoc" or "revenge".
How do you pronounce “wreak”?
“Wreak” is pronounced reek (/ɹik/ in IPA).
How do you use “wreak” in a sentence?
Here is “wreak” used in a sentence: “The storm wreaked havoc on the coastal town.”
What part of speech is “wreak”?
“Wreak” is a verb.
Where does the word “wreak” come from?
The word “wreak” comes from Old English. From Old English wrecan, "to drive out, punish, avenge" — related to "wreck".
