main entry: wreak pronunciation: function: transitive verb etymology: middle english wreken, from old english wrecan to drive, punish, avenge; akin to old high german rehhan to avenge and perhaps to latin urgēre to drive on, urgedate: before 12th century 1 a archaic : avenge b : to cause the infliction of (vengeance or punishment)2 : to give free play or course to (malevolent feeling)3 : bring about, cause lt;wreak havocgt;