wreak

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wreak / rēk/ • v. [tr.] cause (a large amount of damage or harm): torrential rainstorms wreaked havoc yesterday the environmental damage wreaked by ninety years of phosphate mining. ∎  inflict (vengeance): he was determined to wreak his revenge on the girl who had rejected him. ∎ archaic avenge (someone who has been wronged): grant me some knight to wreak me for my son.DERIVATIVES: wreak·er n.

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