Havoc: meaning, definitions and examples
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havoc
[ ˈhæv.ək ]
state of chaos
Havoc refers to widespread destruction or devastation, often caused by natural disasters or conflict. It can also describe a general state of disorder. The term is used to emphasize the severity of the situation.
Synonyms
chaos, destruction, devastation, ruin
Examples of usage
- The storm wreaked havoc on the coastal towns.
- The protest caused havoc in the city center.
- War can leave havoc in its wake.
Translations
Translations of the word "havoc" in other languages:
🇵🇹 devastação
- estrago
- caos
🇮🇳 बर्बादी
- तबाही
- अराजकता
🇩🇪 Zerstörung
- Chaos
- Verwüstung
🇮🇩 kerusakan
- kekacauan
- kehancuran
🇺🇦 руйнування
- хаос
- катастрофа
🇵🇱 dewastacja
- chaos
- zniszczenie
🇯🇵 混乱 (こんらん)
- 破壊 (はかい)
- 大混乱 (だいこんらん)
🇫🇷 ravage
- chaos
- destruction
🇪🇸 devastación
- caos
- destrucción
🇹🇷 yıkım
- kaos
- tahribat
🇰🇷 파괴 (파괴)
- 혼란 (혼란)
- 재앙 (재앙)
🇸🇦 دمار
- فوضى
- خراب
🇨🇿 zkáza
- chaos
- destrukce
🇸🇰 skaza
- chaos
- deštrukcia
🇨🇳 浩劫 (hàojié)
- 混乱 (hùnluàn)
- 毁灭 (huǐmiè)
🇸🇮 uničenje
- kaos
- razdejanje
🇮🇸 eyðilegging
- kaos
- óreiða
🇰🇿 жойылу
- хаос
- апатия
🇬🇪 განადგურება
- ქაოსი
- ჭირის
🇦🇿 məhv
- xaos
- dağıntı
🇲🇽 devastación
- caos
- destrucción
Etymology
The word 'havoc' originates from Middle English, derived from the Old French term 'havoc', which means 'to call for destruction'. It was used in a military context in the past to signal to soldiers that they could pillage and cause devastation in a captured town or area. The term has evolved over time from a specific directive in battle to a general noun signifying chaos and destruction. In literature, 'havoc' is often used to depict scenes of extreme disorder or calamity, emphasizing the dramatic impact of events that lead to such a state. The evolution of its usage reflects the changes in language and social context, where it now can be applied to various forms of disturbance, from natural disasters to societal unrest.