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.
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 One day in 1997, after a fire, the Giuliani administration sent a wrecking ball to topple the building. Dan Greene, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 But the Thunder’s utter dismantling of the Wolves in five games should serve as a reminder of the two-way wrecking ball that this team is. Kelly Iko, New York Times, 1 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 18 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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