havoc

/ˈhæv.ək/noun

Great damage, destruction, or chaos affecting a wide area.

Example sentence

“The flood caused havoc across the entire valley.”

Locked into two phrases: to 'wreak havoc' and to 'play havoc with'. The past of wreak is 'wreaked', not 'wrought', a point even careful writers trip on.

Related words

hazardousDepending on luck or chance; involving risk.haughtyBehaving as if you are better or more important than other people; proud and scornful.headacheA pain felt in the head.hastenTo hurry, or to do something more quickly.headmasterA man who is in charge of a school.harvestThe time or activity of gathering crops once they are ripe.