wreckage

noun

ˈre-kij How to pronounce wreckage (audio)
Definition of wreckagenext
1
as in devastation
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless the wreckage of those ancient statues represents a great loss to the art world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed the wreckage of the cathedral was kept as a memorial and as a reminder of war's terrible cost

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in wrecking
the destruction or loss of a ship debris floated ashore for weeks after the wreckage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wreckage As progressives fought on Tuesday to salvage some validation from the wreckage of Graham Platner’s Senate bid, his most important endorser on the left broke a conspicuous silence to try to nudge him out of the race. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 July 2026 In a viral online video from the earthquake zone, a rescue worker is shown turning toward a group of soldiers standing near the wreckage with long rifles. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2026 According to the operator, the pilot used a small clipboard to record load notes and fuel calculations, but that clipboard was not found in the wreckage, investigators said. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Still, the landowner had continued to find pieces of wreckage for years. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wreckage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreckage
  1. devastation
  2. rubble
  3. wrecking
  4. destruction
  5. debris
  6. wreck
  7. havoc
  8. ruins
Noun
  • Alfonzo’s younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, have been missing since last month when earthquakes caused widespread devastation in his home country of Venezuela.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Yet amid the devastation, what stands out is the determination of ordinary Venezuelans.
    — James Longman, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • And, as the country and its people begin to piece together the full toll of the destruction amid the rubble, the notion of playing baseball seems absurd in the wake of such tragedy.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Residential buildings were badly damaged in the assault, leaving people trapped in multi-story apartment blocks and an entire family that was killed pulled from the rubble, while cars were seen burning on city streets.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of rubble
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
Definition of wrecking
Noun
  • The major drivers of extinction, in this view, are climate change and habitat destruction, both of which harm food webs, pollination, disease control, and climate resilience in the ecosystem.
    — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
  • The order threatens violators with confiscation, destruction of their devices and punishment (which are not specified).
    — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 10 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • The largest of the debris aprons covers 50 square miles (130 square kilometers), which would be large enough to bury a small city or a large town.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of debris
Noun
  • Salvage operations commenced immediately but accomplished little, and the wreck gradually disappeared into the sediment of the Solent.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
  • Historians estimate that as many as 1,000 ships sank during the Middle Passage, but fewer than 20 of these wrecks have been documented.
    — Amara Evering, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Definition of wreck
Noun
  • His counterpressing has been a major aid to the way the team plays, and Balogun’s ability to run in behind the lines and cause havoc in the box opens space and makes things easier for the attacking players around him.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • You’d be forgiven for thinking far fewer of the destructive predators are causing havoc, however.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Hikers pass Incan ruins, wide sweeping valleys and vibrant cloud forest before climbing to the route’s high point at Dead Woman’s Pass.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Trekking company Ian Taylor Trekking calls it one of the best treks in the world on the company blog, noting that the ruins, passes and camp moments often outshine the final destination.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of ruins

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Cite this Entry

“Wreckage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreckage. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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