Advanced English (2) • VERBS • 'W'

verb [T ] C2 literary/formal (waylay-waylaid-waylaid) • synonyms: ambush, intercept, detain, accost • waylay someone; be waylaid by something/someone; waylay with questions/demands • freq in AmE: 2/10

to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to detain, ambush, or delay them; sometimes with hostile or urgent intent

verb [T usually passive ] C1 financial/emotional metaphor • synonyms: destabilize, buffet, shake • be/get/feel whipsawed by something • investors/markets/companies/emotions whipsawed by trends/news/forces • freq in AmE: 5/10

to subject someone or something to rapid, opposing, and often unpredictable changes — especially in financial, emotional, or strategic contexts; implies instability, pressure, and conflicting forces

verb [T ] C2 formal (wreak-wreaked-wreaked or wreak-wrought-wrought) • synonyms: inflict, unleash, cause • wreak something (on something/someone); wreak havoc/destruction/vengeance/damage (on something); wreak chaos/revenge • freq in AmE: 6/10

to cause something harmful, damaging, or violent to happen; to inflict or unleash force, punishment, or destruction

collocation with wreak verb [T ] C2 • synonyms: cause chaos, devastate, disrupt • wreak havoc on/with something (economy/system/region); storms/policies/viruses wreak havoc • freq in AmE: 7/10

to cause widespread chaos, destruction, or serious disruption; to inflict damage on a large scale, often suddenly or violently