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havoc
[ hav-uhk ]
verb (used with object)
- to work havoc upon; devastate.
verb (used without object)
- to work havoc:
The fire havocked throughout the house.
havoc
/ ˈhævək /
noun
- destruction; devastation; ruin
- informal.confusion; chaos
- cry havoc archaic.cry havoc to give the signal for pillage and destruction
- play havocplay havoc often foll by with to cause a great deal of damage, distress, or confusion (to)
verb
- archaic.tr to lay waste
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Other Words From
- hav·ock·er noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of havoc1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of havoc1
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Idioms and Phrases
- cry havoc, to warn of danger or disaster.
- play havoc with,
- to create confusion or disorder in:
The wind played havoc with the papers on the desk.
- wreak havoc. wreak havoc.
More idioms and phrases containing havoc
see cry havoc ; play havoc .Discover More
Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Earlier that day, officials say, Stone went on a bloody rampage killing six of his kin and wreaking havoc in three small towns.
In the later stages of the war, the American-made Stinger missile was introduced and wreaked havoc among the Soviet helicopters.
The mother also made a plea to the violent ones who wreak such havoc.
By the time the maids got back from the shore, peacocks had wrecked havoc on the waiting food.
The Fox miniseries 24: Live Another Day saw a massive drone wreak havoc on London.
They must be kept away from flies—a fly can work havoc with a film in a few minutes.
The laughing happy country girl—what havoc a few hours has made in that gay warm heart!
I have known them arrive in early autumn, and do great havoc amongst the apples, which they cut up to get at the pips.
Their borders you have wasted, and you have made great havoc in the land, and have got the dominion of many places in my kingdom.
But, before the equinox, disease began to make fearful havoc in the little community.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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