wreck 1 of 2

Definition of wrecknext
1
as in wreckage
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed found the wreck of the ship lying on the floor of the ocean

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2
as in wrecking
the destruction or loss of a ship the wreck cost the insurance company millions of dollars

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3
as in collision
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact a dangerous stretch of roadway that has been the scene of numerous car wrecks

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wreck

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to scuttle
to cause irreparable damage to (a ship) by running aground or sinking many an unwary captain has wrecked his ship on the shoals that surround the island

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2
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of most of the furniture on the ground floor was wrecked by the floodwaters

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wreck
Noun
The wreck happened as crews headed to a structure fire, but few details about what led to the crash were available Saturday. Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 14 June 2026 Star-Telegram reporter Nick Harris is stuck on the media shuttle coming from Dallas to Arlington that was in a dead stop on westbound Interstate 30 because of a wreck. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Verb
As host, French President Emmanuel Macron has carved out time for the leaders to talk about how to rebalance trade with China, amid fears that soaring Chinese exports of cars and other products could wreck G7 industries. ABC News, 13 June 2026 France’s dangerous attack is enough to wreck any country’s game plan during the 2026 World Cup in North America. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • Videos from the scene showed bystanders running toward the burning wreckage, attempting to break a window to the cockpit and open the plane's door to free passengers as first responders arrived.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Tortured by the loss of his son and the wreckage of his life, David has refused visitors since the beginning of his sentence.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Scotland's Ben Gannon-Doak was trying to run down a long pass when Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou ran out to grab the ball, and both met in a crunching collision that left both players down for a minute.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
  • The alert also cited jet ski accidents involving American citizens, including a rider killed in a boat collision and cases of operators ignoring warnings of dangerous weather.
    Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • The rationale was that any war Israel fought would inflame popular anti-Israeli sentiment in the Arab and Muslim world, scuttling the Abraham Accords as Arab governments would withdraw out of fear of backlash.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • By 1992, more than $50 million had been spent in restoration and renovation, but the project was scuttled by a bankruptcy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?
    Anthony Chiang June 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Additional footage appeared to show debris floating in the aftermath of the strike.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • And an apartment building and a fitness center in the capital were also damaged by falling debris, TASS reported.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • From a national pie shop victory to a fatal military crash and a baseball controversy reaching the White House, Wednesday delivered a wide range of stories for Sacramento readers.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
  • The crash was the first to take place at the base since May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise crashed during landing, killing two crew members on board.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, young boys gradually become feral and sadistic when trapped on an island together, and in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Prospero magically shipwrecks his brother and his allies so that they will all be exiled together under his watch.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
  • Unique experiences include shipwreck scuba diving in the Straits of Mackinac and checking out the sights from the stunning Castle Rock viewpoint.
    Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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