wreck 1 of 2

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
After the wreck site is properly surveyed, the coordinates are released so people can dive to explore it. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025 The only movement is that of goats who nibble the long grass that grows around the Cold War aircraft wrecks that litter this forlorn spot on Grenada’s east coast. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
The wooden bridge that was wrecked spans the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 That wrecked longstanding fixtures with the old Western North Carolina character, like a place to buy bib overalls and the county courthouse. Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
  • Residents sifted through the wreckage of an apartment block after their windows were blown in by the force of a blast.
    Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • This week saw the tragic end of Fairmont Crest resident Doug McBride (Jason Graham), whose body was found in the wreckage of a fiery car accident after driving off the highway into a ravine.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Leaving a dog at home alone can be nerve-wrecking for many owners, but pet-cam footage shows why Larry the greyhound's owner has nothing to worry about.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The wrecking begins when Carey (Marvin), Paul’s best friend, ill-advisedly sleeps with Julie—and then, more ill-advisedly still, confesses it to Paul the next day.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The collision of these two worlds has presented problems for both Brady and the league.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • With every collision, more space debris is generated, and the likelihood of further collisions increases exponentially.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Israel broke a ceasefire earlier this year, accusing Hamas of scuttling it.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Related Stories Pogachefsky is now suing 42West and his former employees, accusing them of crippling his company and scuttling his talks to sell the firm.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During one visit, the business was seen recycling construction, demolition and car debris, according to the lawsuit.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • This debris could increase micrometeoroid flux in Earth’s vicinity by up to 1,000 times the background levels, according to researchers.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So, a crypto crash will come and may take down our economy with it.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Beyond the mental clarity and razor sharp focus, taking mushrooms like lion’s mane also comes without many of the potential side effects that are typically associated with stimulants like jitters, energy spikes, and mid-day crashes.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The four tried to sail across the sea but were shipwrecked in Spain, where all four of them survived and went on to their next adventure in Not Mexico together.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Two married sea-explorers are stranded, Gilligan-style, after a storm shipwrecks their craft.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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