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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

wreak

Audio Help [reek] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

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.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME wreken, OE wrecan; c. G rächen to avenge, ON reka to drive, avenge, Goth wrikan to persecute; akin to L urgére to drive, push

]

—Related forms

wreaker, noun

—Synonyms 1. visit, vent, unleash.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Wreak

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

wreak Audio Help (rēk) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. wreaked, wreak·ing, wreaks

To inflict (vengeance or punishment) upon a person.
To express or gratify (anger, malevolence, or resentment); vent.
To bring about; cause: wreak havoc.
Archaic To take vengeance for; avenge.

[Middle English wreken, from Old English wrecan.]

Usage Note: Wreak is sometimes confused with wreck, perhaps because the wreaking of damage may leave a wreck: The storm wreaked (not wrecked ) havoc along the coast. The past tense and past participle of wreak is wreaked, not wrought, which is an alternative past tense and past participle of work.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
wreak

O.E. wrecan "avenge," originally "to drive, drive out, punish" (class V strong verb; past tense wræc, pp. wrecen), from P.Gmc. *wrekanan (cf. O.S. wrekan, O.N. reka, O.Fris. wreka, M.Du. wreken "to drive, push, compel, pursue, throw," O.H.G. rehhan, Ger. rächen "to avenge," Goth. wrikan "to persecute"), from PIE base *werg- "to work, to do" (cf. Lith. vergas "distress," vergas "slave," O.C.S. vragu "enemy," L. urgere; see urge (v.)). Meaning "inflict or take vengeance," with on, is recorded from c.1489; that of "inflict or cause (damage or destruction)" is attested from 1817.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

wreak
verb
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area" [syn: bring]