Definition of "wreak" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To cause harm; to afflict; to inflict; to harm or injure; to let out harm.

   • The earthquake wreaked havoc in the city.
   • She wreaked her anger on his car.

2. (archaic) To chasten, or chastise/chastize, or castigate, or punish, or smite.

   • The police abused their authority to wreak an innocent.
   • The criminal has been wreaked by the Judge to spend a year in prison.

3. (archaic) To inflict or take vengeance on.

4. (archaic) To take vengeance for.

5. (intransitive) Misspelling of reek.

noun

1. (archaic, literary) Revenge; vengeance; furious passion; resentment.

2. (archaic, literary) Punishment; retribution; payback.