wreak
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++wreak /riːk/ verb 1 wreak havoc/mayhem/destruction (on something) to cause a lot of damage or problems （对某事物）造成浩劫/混乱/破坏 These policies have wreaked havoc on the British economy. 这些政策严重破坏了英国经济。2 wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody) formal to do something unpleasant to someone to punish them for something they have done to you （对某人）施行报复 He promised to wreak vengeance on those who had betrayed him. 他发誓要报复那些背叛他的人。→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
wreak• The story deals with the aftermath of warfare, particularly the devastation wreaked by land mines.• Beyond this potential for human suffering, the global ignorance of longitude wreaked economic havoc on the grandest scale.• Unassimilated, they might one day wreak havoc in her life.• The storm wreaked havoc on trains and highways, making it unlikely thousands of investors and traders will arrive at work.• But whether or not there are symptoms, the virus can wreak havoc over the years.• And they wreak havoc with the goal of raising revenue efficiently.• Claret, chocolate or turkey curry stains can wreak seasonal havoc.Origin wreak Old English wrecan “to drive out, punish”wreak verbChinese
lot to cause of problems Corpus a damage or
wreak
wreak /riːk/
verb
These policies have wreaked havoc on the British economy.
2. wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody) formal to do something unpleasant to someone to punish them for something they have done to you:
He promised to wreak vengeance on those who had betrayed him.
wreak /riːk/
verb Language: Old English
Origin: wrecan 'to drive out, punish'
1. wreak havoc/mayhem/destruction (on something) to cause a lot of damage or problems:Origin: wrecan 'to drive out, punish'
2. wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody) formal to do something unpleasant to someone to punish them for something they have done to you: