wreak

Cause widespread damage

Wreak means to inflict or cause, almost always something harmful or destructive.

The word appears most often with havoc: The storm wreaked havoc on coastal towns.

You can also wreak vengeance, destruction, or damage.

Wreak implies unleashing force that was building up—emotions, natural disasters, consequences finally coming due.

infliction

impose

Force acceptance of

inflictCause to be suffered
unleashTo release from restraint
visitTrip to see another

bring · cause · deliver · mete · exact · perpetrate · commit · administer · execute · dispense

destruction

havoc

Widespread destruction and chaos

devastationSevere widespread destruction
ruinComplete destruction or collapse
carnageWidespread violent death

damage · chaos · mayhem · annihilation · obliteration · desolation · ravage · ruination · decimation · demolition

vengeance

revenge

Punishing a wrongdoer

retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
paybackRetaliation for wrongs
wrathFierce, punishing anger

fury · retaliation · reprisal · nemesis · comeuppance · punishment · justice · reckoning · grudge · score-settling

Categories

archaic wordsthee, thou, thy, thine, tis

Opposites

causing vs. preventing damage/harm

Stop in advance

avert · forestall · stop · thwart · block

releasing vs. controlling force

Limit freedom of movement

contain · suppress · hold back · check · curb

destruction vs. restoration

Restore to working order

restore · heal · mend · fix · rebuild

Phrases

train wreckUtter chaotic disaster
nervous wreckPerson overwhelmed by anxiety
wrecking ballCrane-swung demolition weight
car wreckDestroyed vehicle from collision
wreak havocCause widespread destruction
home wreckerOne causing marital dissolution

Family

wreck, wrecked, wreckage, wrecking, wretch, shipwreck, wrecker, wreaking, wreckages

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G