wrecker

noun

wreck·​er ˈre-kər 

1

a

: one that searches for or works on the wrecks of ships (as for rescue or for plunder)

b

: tow truck

2

: one that wrecks

especially : one whose work is the demolition of buildings

Examples of wrecker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When first responders arrived, a diver swam to the vehicle and connected it to a wrecker so the car could be pulled out of the water. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026

Cars were then radioless, so the two officers hiked to the nearest phone, put out an all-points bulletin on the car that had got away, and then called for a wrecker. —Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Downs, 21, a 6-foot, 206-pound game wrecker, is an Alabama transfer who disrupts offenses consistently with a high football IQ and a downhill, violent play style. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

Injecting a lot of life into the pass rush, Oweh and Chaisson have the potential to be division wreckers. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wrecker

• home-wrecker

Rhymes for wrecker

• checker
• chequer
• decker
• exchequer
• woodpecker

Kids Definition

wrecker

noun

wreck·​er ˈrek-ər 

1

a

: one that searches for or works on the wrecks of ships

b

: tow truck

2

: one that wrecks