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wreak

 - 3 dictionary results

wreak

  [reek]
Use wreak in a Sentence
–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 urgēre to drive, push

Related forms:
wreaker, noun

Synonyms:
1. visit, vent, unleash.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To wreak
wreak   (rēk)   
tr.v.   wreaked, wreak·ing, wreaks

  1. To inflict (vengeance or punishment) upon a person.

  2. To express or gratify (anger, malevolence, or resentment); vent.

  3. To bring about; cause: wreak havoc.

  4. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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