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havoc
[hav-uhk]
noun
great destruction or devastation; ruinous damage.
Synonyms: , ,
verb (used with object)
to work havoc upon; devastate.
verb (used without object)
to work havoc.
The fire havocked throughout the house.
havoc
/ Ė³óƦ±¹É°ģ /
noun
destruction; devastation; ruin
informalĢżconfusion; chaos
archaicĢżto give the signal for pillage and destruction
(often foll by with) to cause a great deal of damage, distress, or confusion (to)
verb
archaicĢż(tr) to lay waste
Other 51³Ō¹Ļ Forms
- havocker noun
51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins
Origin of havoc1
51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins
Origin of havoc1
Idioms and Phrases
cry havoc, to warn of danger or disaster.
play havoc with,
wreak havoc. wreak havoc.
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Introduced species are wreaking havoc due to similar lack of evolved defenses in the American beech, many amphibian species and North American bats of different kinds.
Others say he may be content with the havoc wrought while doomed cases wend their way through the justice system.
"Climatic change is creating havoc in apple cultivation," he says.
Some were there to protest federal immigration sweeps across the county ā others appeared set on wreaking havoc.
A stiff breeze played havoc with serve in the opening two sets, leading to the pair exchanging 12 breaks in an entertaining if not high-quality affair.
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Related 51³Ō¹Ļs
When To Use
Havoc means chaos, disorder, or confusion. It can also mean destruction, damage, or ruin. In many cases, it refers to a combination of these things.The phrase wreak havoc means to cause chaos or destruction or both. The phrases play havoc and raise havoc mean the same thing.Havoc is associated with seriously destructive and chaotic situations, such as natural disasters, as in The hurricane caused havoc throughout the region. But it can be used in a range of situations. An illness can wreakhavoc on your body. A virus can cause havoc in a computer network. The wind can wreak havoc on your hair. In most cases, havoc causes a situation that was (at least somewhat) orderly to become disorderly, especially when there is damage or destruction involved.The phrase cry havoc means to raise an alarm or give a warning.Havoc can be used as a verb meaning to cause havoc or destroy, but this is rare.Example: A major accident on the highway has wreaked havoc on the morning commute, causing traffic jams and delays for miles around.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American HeritageĀ® Idioms Dictionary copyright Ā© 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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