wreak harm

USAGE SUMMARY

"wreak harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning to cause damage or harm. Here is an example sentence: The hurricane wreaked terrible harm on the nearby towns.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These enterprises cannot wreak harm with impunity.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A real gun containing a real bullet is fired at a magician, who manages to "catch" the missile before it can wreak lethal harm.

The Guardian

Before you develop any high-fit CSR program, evaluate your company's reputation first so you don't just wreak further harm.

Forbes

Wage inflation has remained tame, preventing the upward spiral of pay and prices that wreaked such harm on previous occasions.

The Economist

Certainly, these killers have wreaked tremendous harm, but increasingly, the diseases of the rich nations – diabetes, cancer, and heart disease – are claiming more lives every day as health systems struggle to keep on top of these emerging pandemics.

The New York Times

Which means that the world should match kindness to Pakistan with toughness.To those that have not…The floods have wreaked untold harm on a place that has already suffered grievously.

The Economist

U.S. intervention and war-making have wreaked untold harm in the Middle East.

Huffington Post

8 July 2006 – The United Nations Humanitarian Agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory, are alarmed by developments on the ground, which have seen innocent civilians, including children, killed, brought increased misery to hundreds of thousands of people and which will wreak far-reaching harm on Palestinian society.

Unicef

This was also the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the second world war, which wreaked so much harm on central and eastern Europe.

The Guardian

Instead it could take up a position in the community intelligence vanguard where its workforce can root out damaging abuse before it can go viral, metastasize and wreak wider societal harms.

TechCrunch

This is how you carry on?" Tidhar, likewise, sees a crop of blockbusters about the harm superheroes wreak as deeply indicative of the era: one in which the self-obsession of the 90s is no longer permissible, but the clarity of the 30s and 40s is no longer available.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wreak harm" to describe significant damage or destructive consequences, especially when emphasizing a forceful or uncontrolled impact.

Common error

Avoid using "wreak harm" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. This phrase implies substantial damage or serious repercussions; weaker terms like "cause problems" or "create difficulties" are more appropriate for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wreak harm" functions as a verb phrase where "wreak" is the verb meaning to cause or inflict, and "harm" is the noun representing the damage or injury caused. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science & Research

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wreak harm" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions or events that cause significant damage or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in formal writing. While alternatives like "cause damage" or "inflict injury" exist, "wreak harm" often carries a stronger emphasis on the forceful and destructive nature of the impact. The phrase is commonly found in news media, business documents, and scientific research, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "wreak harm", it's important to consider the intensity of the situation to ensure the phrase is appropriately impactful, reserved for situations of substantial damage rather than minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause damage

Focuses on the physical or structural damage caused.

inflict damage

Highlights the act of intentionally causing damage.

do damage

A more general way to express causing damage.

cause injury

Specifically refers to physical or emotional harm inflicted on someone.

inflict suffering

Emphasizes the pain and distress caused.

bring destruction

Highlights the scale and severity of the damage.

create havoc

Emphasizes the disruption and chaos caused.

exact a toll

Focuses on the negative consequences and cost.

leave a mark

Indicates a lasting negative impact.

impose hardship

Highlights the difficulty and struggle caused.

FAQs

How can I use "wreak harm" in a sentence?

You can use "wreak harm" to describe actions that cause significant damage or negative impact. For example, "The hurricane "wreaked harm" on coastal communities".

What are some alternatives to "wreak harm"?

Alternatives include "cause damage", "inflict injury", or "create havoc", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "reak harm" instead of "wreak harm"?

No, the correct phrase is "wreak harm". "Reak" is not a recognized verb in this context, and using it would be a misspelling.

What kind of harm does "wreak harm" typically refer to?

"Wreak harm" typically refers to significant damage, whether physical, emotional, or societal. It suggests a powerful and destructive force.