wreak
Word family nounwreakeradjectivewreakfulwreaklessverbwreak
wreak /riːk/ verb → reek1 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。
wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody)• First, Burghgesh could have survived and come back to wreak vengeance.• It is hardly surprising that it should occasionally wreak vengeance on its executioner. Origin wreak Old English wrecan “to drive out, punish”