Phrase guide

wreak havoc

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK, US: /ɹiːk ˈhæv.ək/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause damage, disruption, or destruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The storm wreaked havoc on his garden.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: causar estralls — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Czech: způsobit škodu — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Czech: způsobit katastrofu — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Finnish: tehdä tuhoa — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • French: semer la pagaille — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • German: Chaos anrichten — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • German: Verwüstung verursachen — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Italian: creare scompiglio — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Italian: gettare scompiglio — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Latin: vastō — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Polish: siać spustoszenie — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Portuguese: causar estragos — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Russian: наноси́ть уще́рб (nanosítʹ uščérb) — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Spanish: causar estragos — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Swedish: härja — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction
  • Ukrainian: завдати шкоди, сіяти хаос (zavdaty škody, sijaty xaos) — To cause damage, disruption, or destruction