Wreak
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɹiːk/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Wreak is a verb meaning (transitive) To cause harm; to afflict; to inflict; to harm or injure; to let out harm.
Meaning
(transitive) To cause harm; to afflict; to inflict; to harm or injure; to let out harm.
More Meanings
- (intransitive) Misspelling of reek.
- (archaic) To chasten, or chastise/chastize, or castigate, or punish, or smite.
- (archaic) To inflict or take vengeance on.
- (archaic) To take vengeance for.
- (archaic, literary) Revenge; vengeance; furious passion; resentment.
- (archaic, literary) Punishment; retribution; payback.
Example Sentences
She wreaked her anger on his car.
The earthquake wreaked havoc in the city.
The police abused their authority to wreak an innocent.
The criminal has been wreaked by the Judge to spend a year in prison.
Word Forms
- wreaks
- wreaking
- wreaked
Synonyms for wreak
Depending on context, synonyms include work, play, bring.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include play, bring, work, inflict, havoc, destroy.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.