Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [reek]
- /rik/
- /riːk/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [reek]
- /rik/
Definitions of wreak word
- verb with object wreak to inflict or execute (punishment, vengeance, etc.): They wreaked havoc on the enemy. 1
- verb with object wreak 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. 1
- noun wreak Cause (a large amount of damage or harm). 1
- verb wreak Something or someone that wreaks havoc or destruction causes a great amount of disorder or damage. 0
- verb wreak If you wreak revenge or vengeance on someone, you do something that will harm them very much to punish them for the harm they have done to you. 0
- verb wreak to inflict (vengeance, etc) or to cause (chaos, etc) 0
Information block about the term
Origin of wreak
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 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
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Wreak
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
wreak popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
Synonyms for wreak
verb wreak
- cause — a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result; the producer of an effect: You have been the cause of much anxiety. What was the cause of the accident?
- inflict — to impose as something that must be borne or suffered: to inflict punishment.
- create — To create something means to cause it to happen or exist.
- bring about — To bring something about means to cause it to happen.
- do — Informal. a burst of frenzied activity; action; commotion.
Antonyms for wreak
verb wreak
- destroy — To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.
- fail — to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved: The experiment failed because of poor planning.
- forget — to cease or fail to remember; be unable to recall: to forget someone's name.
- ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.
- neglect — to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight: The public neglected his genius for many years.
Top questions with wreak
- how do you spell wreak?
- what does wreak mean?
- what does wreak havoc mean?
- how to wreak havoc?
- what is wreak?
- what is the meaning of wreak havoc?
- what is wreak havoc?