Word
wreaking
Phoneticswreak·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹikɪŋ/
UK/ɹˈiːkɪŋ/
Definition
v. to cause a lot of damage, pain, or trouble. You often see it with the word havoc.
v. to inflict severe damage, destruction, or chaos on a person, place, or system. Most commonly appears in the fixed collocation 'wreak havoc'.
Examples
“The storm is wreaking havoc on the small town.”
“Heavy rain is wreaking havoc on the roads, and drivers face long delays.”
“The computer virus is wreaking silent damage across the network, corrupting files faster than engineers can isolate them.”
Examples
simple
“The storm is wreaking havoc on the small town.”
contextual
“Heavy rain is wreaking havoc on the roads, and drivers face long delays.”
complex
“The computer virus is wreaking silent damage across the network, corrupting files faster than engineers can isolate them.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “wreaking” in context.
Verb
01. wreak chaos
“Misinformation wreaked chaos in financial markets last week.”
verb + noun
02. wreak damage
“High winds wreaked damage to coastal infrastructure overnight.”
verb + noun
03. wreak destruction
“The invasive species wreaked destruction in local ecosystems.”
verb + noun
04. wreak havoc
“The storm wreaked havoc on transport networks across the country.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. deliberately wreak
“The regime deliberately wreaked hardship on rural communities to force compliance.”
adv + verb
06. indiscriminately wreak
“Modern artillery can indiscriminately wreak destruction on civilian areas.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. wreak terror on
“The militia wreaked terror on villages along the border.”
verb + noun + prep
08. wreak vengeance upon
“In the epic, the gods wreak vengeance upon mortals who defy them.”
verb + noun + prep
09. wreak chaos across communities
“The blackout wreaked chaos across communities in the region.”
10. wreak havoc on the economy
“Prolonged strikes could wreak havoc on the economy.”
11. wreak revenge on rivals
“He vowed to wreak revenge on his political rivals.”
12. wreak untold destruction on
“The hurricane wreaked untold destruction on coastal towns.”
Usage
Transitive and takes a direct object, most commonly 'havoc', 'destruction', or 'chaos'.
Pitfall
wrecking havoc on the city
wreaking havoc on the city
Wreak means to cause; wreck means to destroy. The fixed collocation is 'wreak havoc'.
Real-World Examples
“Simon caps a Pacific season of record-breaking intensity, as deadly storms wreak havoc from Hawaii to Mexico.” “Within just a few years, opium smoking was wreaking havoc on peoples' lives.” “When the perpetrators are caught, they are often children of early secondary-school age returning to wreak havoc.” “Here’s a look at just some of the property damage that Isaias has wreaked across its path so far today.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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