wrecking ball

noun

: a heavy iron or steel ball swung or dropped by a derrick to demolish old buildings

called also wrecker's ball

Examples of wrecking ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The owners locked out players that winter, and the wrecking ball hit as soon as the lockout ended. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 Its wing construction was so strong that the Navy couldn't even break it up with a wrecking ball – though, in the end, it was finally turned into scrap. David Szondy, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2025 Americans should not be shut out from future economic opportunities because of policy changes by the economic wrecking ball of the current administration. Chi Chi Wu, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025 Predictability often acts like a wrecking ball and utterly destroys moviegoing experiences. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrecking ball

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrecking ball was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Wrecking ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrecking%20ball. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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