wreak

UK: /ˈriːk/ US: /rik/ ,(rēk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wreak /rik/   v. [~ + object]

1. to carry out (damage, destruction):
   The storm wreaked damage on the whole coastline.
2. to inflict:
   to wreak revenge on them.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wreak  (rēk), v.t. 

1. to inflict or execute (punishment, vengeance, etc.):
   They wreaked havoc on the enemy.
2. to carry out the promptings of (one's rage, ill humor, will, desire, etc.), as on a victim or object:
   He wreaked his anger on the office staff.

• bef. 900; Middle English wreken, Old English wrecan; cognate with German rächen to avenge, Old Norse reka to drive, avenge, Gothic wrikan to persecute; akin to Latin urgēre to drive, push

wreak′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. visit, vent, unleash.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wreak / riːk/ verb (transitive)

1. to inflict (vengeance, etc) or to cause (chaos, etc)
2. to express, or gratify (anger, hatred, etc)
3. to take vengeance for

Etymology: Old English wrecan; related to Old Frisian wreka, Old High German rehhan (German rächen), Old Norse reka, Latin urgēre to push

ˈwreaker noun

USAGE
wrought