# wreak

/ˈɹik/ (US) · /ɹˈiːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wreak
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to cause damage or chaos

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to cause something very bad to happen, like a lot of damage or trouble.

For teachers: to inflict or cause large-scale damage, harm, or chaos. Almost exclusively used in the fixed expression 'wreak havoc'.

- The heavy storm began to wreak havoc on the small coastal town.
- The sudden introduction of the invasive species began to wreak havoc on the delicate local ecosystem, displacing several native birds.

Usage: This verb is transitive and is most frequently followed by the noun 'havoc'.

Teaching tip: Advise students that while 'wreak' can technically take other objects like 'vengeance', in modern English it is nearly always paired with 'havoc'.

## Examples

- The storm will wreak havoc on the local farms.
- The heavy rain will wreak havoc on the city's infrastructure if the drainage systems fail.
- The sudden collapse of the financial market will wreak havoc on the global economy, leading to widespread unemployment and a sharp decline in consumer confidence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.