verb
wrack
RAK/ræk/
To cause severe pain or strain.
Violent wind wracks the shed, twisting its frame and peeling back roof boards.
Etymology
From a wrecked ship, the verb developed the broader meaning of ruining or destroying. Its torment and strain senses overlap with rack, whose image is violent stretching on an instrument of torture.
More examples
- Guilt wracks him after he lies to his best friend.
- Violent coughing wracks his body through the night.
- She is wracked with anxiety before the interview.
Forms
wrack · wracks · wracked · wracking