as in to inflict
to cause to suffer punishment or vengeance for
wreaked their vengeance on those they considered enemies
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Recent Examples of wreak
The only thing Iranian leaders view as more perilous for their self-preservation than the suffering wreaked by Israeli bombs is surrendering to American terms.
—
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The damage wreaked by Trump policies on student loans is already showing up in economic statistics.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
In just a decade the Marriott Hotel went from a promise of Haiti’s future to a remnant of its past, as the country’s armed gangs continue to wreak economic damage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Present at the Destruction The full scope of the destruction the second Trump administration has wreaked on the machinery of U.S. foreign policy and national security is hard to capture.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
The damage wreaked by Trump policies on student loans is already showing up in economic statistics.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
In just a decade the Marriott Hotel went from a promise of Haiti’s future to a remnant of its past, as the country’s armed gangs continue to wreak economic damage.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Present at the Destruction The full scope of the destruction the second Trump administration has wreaked on the machinery of U.S. foreign policy and national security is hard to capture.
—Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreak
Verb
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By pressing Kenyon into the hot pavement, officers violated his civil rights by utilizing excessive force and intentionally inflicting emotional distress, the lawsuit stated.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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And while inflicting these massive losses, the oil and gas industry has been pocketing huge profits, more than $1 trillion in the past decade alone.—
Jerry McNerney,
Mercury News,
9 July 2025
Verb
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For months, Trump had threatened, but held off on, imposing new sanctions against Russia's oil industry.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
14 July 2025
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Several communities — including Highland Park, Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn and Lombard — have recently imposed age limits on riders, while Burr Ridge has banned e-scooters from its streets.—
Paulina Czupryna,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreak. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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